Even the greatest directors have their off days, but Martin Scorsese’s lesser works still surpass much of what his peers achieve. Having directed classics like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, and Casino, Scorsese sets an exceptionally high standard for himself.
Movies such as Gangs of New York, The Color of Money, Cape Fear, and The Aviator are often praised, yet they don’t quite reach the heights of his greatest works. Still, these middle-tier films are far superior to much of contemporary cinema, showcasing his consistent skill.
The EGOT-winning legend Mel Brooks openly shared which Scorsese film he considers the weakest. Despite Scorsese never making anything worse than decent, Brooks believes Scorsese’s "flowers" were given for his least impressive movie.
In a conversation with The AV Club, Brooks said the only reason he won two consecutive Emmys for his guest role on Mad About You was, “I’m Mel Brooks.”
Mel Brooks respects Martin Scorsese’s cinematic legacy but identifies one film as his weakest, reflecting his high standard for excellence.