WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR? (1967) is probably Martin Scorcese's first film. I bet it is also Harvey Keitel's first film who showed up in response to an actors wanted ad that then NYU graduate student Scorcese ran in the local paper. The shooting started in 1964 and ended up 4 or 5 years later, with some of the bedroom scenes shot in Holland. It's the story of a young good for nothing guy from Little Italy just bumming around with his friends and falling in love with a girl, blond and non-Italian, who is just a size too big for his conservative and male chauvinistic values. Haunting B&W camera work foretells the great director of the future (who still is without an Academy Award of his own at this writing in 2006 despite having been nominated 6 times). Choppy editing but surprise! It's the same Thelma Schoonmaker who edited this student film. She will of course collaborate on many other projects with Marty and end up winning TWO Editing Oscars (for The Aviator in 2005 and Raging Bull in 1980). The story line is nothing to write home about young bum for whom women are either girls or broads and whores tries to find happiness as the world and his own background conspire against him. But young Keitel and Scorcese treat us to the raw talent that will eventually evolve into a focus of major fascination for us all movie fans and writers. A 6 out of 10. |
