Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest directors ever. I wanted this post to be for his birthday, but then we launched Jinni in private beta and I missed the November 17 date. Still, I want to offer this list (hey, even genius directors get late birthday presents sometimes) of the top 10 movies with his favorite theme: rise and fall. Gangsters, athletes, tycoons, porn stars, and more. These guys got to the top but fell hard. If you want to learn how to stay at the top - read on…

10. Boogie Nights (1997)

Meet Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a young, well-endowed dishwasher in a L.A. nightclub. Spotted by an adult film director (Burt Reynolds) and hungry for fame, Eddie changes his name to Dirk Diggler and becomes the hottest star in the porn industry. Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s breakthrough film is an exhilarating ride through the underbelly of the 70s. Inspired by the films of Robert Altman and Scorsese, it features colorful camera work, a dynamic soundtrack, and a stellar cast.
Why the fall?
Like others who rose to stardom, Dirk Diggler started doing cocaine, yelling at people for no good reason and alienating those who really cared for him.
What can we learn?
Don’t forget where you came from.

9. The Aviator (2004)

Scorsese’se lavish spectacle hearkening back to Hollywood’s Golden Era tells the story of Howard Hughes, one of the 20th-century’s most pioneering and influential figures. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the eccentric billionaire, this biopic concentrates on Hughes’ life between the 20s and 40s, when he made striking contributions to both the film and aviation industries.
Why the fall?
Obsession and mental illness overcame him.
What can we learn?
Don’t forget to take that daily pill.

8. Once Upon A Time In America (1984)

Sergio Leone directed this epic saga, a classic crime drama that runs to nearly four hours, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods and Joe Pesci. The story revolves around the lives of childhood friends who rose from the Jewish ghetto to the top of the NY crime world. Sadly, this great movie was the last one Sergio Leone directed before dying in 1989 at age 60 from a heart attack.
Why the fall?
Greed and ambition.
What can we learn?
Don’t mix friendship with business.

7. American Gangster (2007)

British director Ridley Scott adeptly helms a Scorsese-like American crime epic based on a true story in 1968 Harlem. Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a driver for crime boss Bumpy Johnson. When Bumpy dies, Lucas takes over the empire and expands it with sales of a potent brand of heroin, supplied by corrupt Vietnam-based U.S. officers. Meanwhile, unpopular straight-shooting cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) begins to investigate the New York drug world and fellow members of the corrupt narcotics squad.
Why the fall?
Lucas wore a chinchilla coat to a boxing match and drew way too much attention, including from the police.
What can we learn?
Save the animals! And don’t wear outlandish clothes.

6. Casino (1995)

Set in the 1970s and reveling in the minute details of how Las Vegas casinos operate, this Scorsese flick chronicles the rise and fall of casino manager Ace Rothstein. Regulars De Niro and Pesci are first-rate once again as mismatched companions, but Sharon Stone steals the show with a grueling, intense performance.
Why the fall?
Put two violent, ego-driven gangsters and one treacherous drug-abusing ex-prostitute in a single city. There was no way the three of them could all stay at the top.
What can we learn?
When you are successful and Sharon Stone is your woman, other men might get jealous.

5. Raging Bull (1980)

Scorsese’s personal approach to filmmaking reached a whole new level with Raging Bull, which also marked the first collaboration between De Niro and Pesci, to be followed by 5 more successful ones. The rise and fall of middleweight boxer Jake La Motta is played with incredible intensity and in an anti-Rocky style by Oscar winner De Niro (Scorsese’s longtime favorite, who got ditched for a younger Italian, DiCaprio…).
Why the fall?
It was the bad temper.
What can we learn?
Take a deep breath and count to ten before you punch anyone.

4. The Departed

A crime drama from Scorsese without De Niro and Pesci? Yes, there is such a thing and it even earned his much-deserved Oscar. It’s the story of a cop (Leonardo Di Caprio) going undercover as a mob member and a mob member (Matt Damon), infiltrating the police force. The strong supporting cast includes Jack Nicholson as the mob boss, Ray Winstone as his meat-headed muscle, Mark Wahlberg as a hot-headed police sergeant, and Vera Farmiga as a love interest for both Damon and DiCaprio.
Why the fall?
Costello (Jack Nicholson): “Rats. A legion of rats.”
What can we learn?
Think hard before you trust someone. And get a cat.

3. Scarface (1983)

Brian De Palma’s gory saga of a Cuban deportee’s rise to the top of Miami’s cocaine business has become a cult classic, referenced in rap songs and later gangster movies and quoted by fans everywhere. The film’s brutal violence and lack of positive characters still make it controversial and disliked by certain critics.
Why the fall?
When Tony Montana (Al Pacino, the protagonist) bought two white tigers it was pretty obvious the success had gone to his head.
What can we learn?
Nobody needs two white tigers in their backyard. Remember, one is enough.

2. The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece tells of Mafia life in the U.S. during the 1940s and 50s. This epic saga set a new screen standard for merging blood-soaked violence with intimate family drama.
Why the fall?
Sonny (James Caan) disagreed with his father (Marlon Brando) in the middle of a meeting with another crime family, making the family look weak and divided.
What can we learn?
Don’t interrupt your father while he’s speaking.

1. Goodfellas (1979)

A classic portrait of life in the mob, Scorsese’s wry, ultra-violent and exhilarating film tells the tale of neurotic Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who is joined by cool know-it-all Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and psychotic Tommy DeVito (Oscar winning performance for Joe Pesci) in his journey from innocent boyhood to crime-driven adulthood. The film established one of the director’s trademarks: pop and rock music to infuse every scene with a breathtaking, invigorating rhythm.
Why the fall?
Boss of the crime family Paul Cicero (Paul Sorvino): “Don’t get into drugs! Promise me you won’t get into drugs.” Henry: “O.K, O.K, I promise, I won’t get into drugs.” He got into drugs.
What can we learn?
Don’t do drugs.

Want even more rise-and-fall stories? Search on Jinni.com for:
Rise and Fall * Gangsters * Blind Ambition * Life is a Bitch * Drug Abuse * Drug Dealing * Friendship * Masterpiece * Epic * Saga * Controversial * Gory * Mafia Life * Snitch * Undercover * Based on a true story * Greed * Loyalty * Betrayal * Prostitute * Jealousy * Rise to Stardom * (and any combination)

More rise-and-fall picks? Please add yours below!

Popularity: 11% [?]