The film that nearly destroyed Scorsese — and that`s exactly why it`s worth watching | Interesting facts

Even geniuses experience failures. We have written multiple times about the "magnificent failures" in the history of world cinema — and here is another example for you. But is it really as bad as some critics believe? And why is this film worth revisiting today?

(Un)successful First Attempt

Martin Scorsese is a living icon of cinema. His films "Casino," "Shutter Island," and "The Departed" are already etched in the golden history of Hollywood. Yet, there is one film in the master's filmography that still sparks debate — the musical drama "New York, New York," which premiered in 1977 at the start of the director's career.

"An elderly man in glasses and a suit speaks into a microphone on stage, making a gesture with his hand, his facial expression smiling — Discussing one of Scorsese's most controversial early films

Critics labeled it a resounding failure. Yet today, nearly 50 years later, "New York, New York" is experiencing a revival — now seen as a film that was too bold for its time.

Jazz, Sex, and Toxic Love: A Plot That Shocked Audiences

This is the story of talented saxophonist Jimmy Doyle ( Robert De Niro ) and rising singer Francine Evans (Liza Minnelli). They meet in a nightclub and almost immediately start working together, performing in post-war New York venues.

"I wanted to make a film in the style of the forties, with all their artificiality and the idea of the unreality of the surrounding world," the director is quoted in Artforum.

Music and the city's frenetic energy become the backdrop for a stormy romance, full of quarrels, passion, and professional jealousy. Jimmy is a natural rebel, Francine is gentle but stubborn. Together, they resemble a golden Hollywood couple, only in the 70s version—with nerves, breakdowns, and toxicity.

The Hellish Shoot, or How Scorsese Almost Ruined Everything

The director always leaned towards improvisation, and this approach yielded brilliant results in "Taxi Driver" (1976). But here, things didn't go as planned. "New York" didn't have a finished script—individual scenes were created right on set, and actors were constantly asked to improvise. While De Niro excelled in impromptu moments, Minnelli felt insecure—and it shows on screen.

A man in a Hawaiian shirt playing the saxophone, leaning towards a woman in a retro outfit with white gloves and a hat — Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli in the film "New York, New York"

The director's maximalism and desire to experiment worked against him this time. In a review on Filmotomy, critic Bianca Garner noted: "It's evident that Scorsese is clearly out of his element here and can't handle the scale of the picture."

Tensions were also rising for another reason. Scorsese's personal life was in chaos: marital problems, complicated relationships with Minnelli—all against the backdrop of a growing addiction.

Later, Martin admitted that he saw drugs as "creative fuel," but in reality, they only exacerbated his issues with concentration and anger. In an interview with New York Post, the director described this period as "the beginning of a fall into an abyss, from which he barely emerged alive."

What finally shook Scorsese was MGM's decision to cut "New York, New York" almost in half. The offended director felt that his creation had been simply "bled dry."

Why the Film Failed

Audiences expected a beautiful fairy tale but received an emotional ordeal—a painful, intense story about creative people who don't know how to love. The audience of the late '70s was not ready for a musical with a nervous breakdown in every scene.

Liza Minnelli sings in the film 'New York, New York'

De Niro's character was especially shocking—his Jimmy is egocentric, rude, and almost sadistic towards Francine. According to critics, this broke the traditional romantic format. "De Niro's character looks like a madman from the start," wrote critic Roger Ebert in his review.

The $16.4 million collected on a $14 million budget (according to The Numbers) can hardly be called a success story.

A Movie to Watch Today

And here is where it gets most interesting. Today, "New York, New York" is perceived quite differently—as an imperfect but honest experiment by a great director trying to step outside his usual genre. It's no wonder that Scorsese's creative "mistake" is now recommended for film school students to watch.

'New York, New York' is a rare example of how the classic musical genre is filtered through the lens of auteur cinema. Glamour coexists with extreme nervousness, and the lavish sets contrast with the emotional instability of the characters.

The visuals and music deserve special applause. Scorsese literally lived in the MGM archives, studying golden age musicals to accurately recreate their spirit. Golden glitter, red lights, and corridors of flashing bulbs—you're sure to enjoy it! And the legendary song "New York, New York" is still considered the anthem of the city.

Finally, Francine's story itself feels especially relevant today. A woman forced to fight not only for her career but also for her right to be heard in a relationship. In an era of discussions about female empowerment and toxic partners, such a plot hits the mark.

The Weakest Scorsese Film or a Bold Experiment?

At the zoomboola.com editorial office, we rewatched "New York, New York," and you know what? It was painful, awkward, yet incredibly fascinating. This film is like an open wound, into which Scorsese delved up to his elbows, unafraid to get dirty.

Yes, the musical doesn't have a very high rating on IMDb — 6.6. But what a cool attempt to combine old Hollywood with new sincerity! And even if the experiment didn't work, it still deserves attention — if only for Minnelli and De Niro. Or for Scorsese — not as a confident master of mafia chronicles, but as a person simply searching for himself.