Martin Scorsese may be famous for his thriller’s but his comedies are the confirmation of his genius. “After Hours” is a complete offbeat and surrealistic comedy from one of cinema’s greatest master combining his unique directing style with humour and the 80s.
A meek word processor impulsively travels to Manhattan’s Soho District to date an attractive but apparently disturbed young woman and finds himself trapped there in a nightmarishly surreal vortex of improbable coincidences and farcical circumstances.
Martin Scorsese was blocked at the time because Paramount decided to stop production on the feature “The Last Temptation of Christ” (which he directed in 1988), frustrated he came across the script of a young writer named Joseph Minion. The production company Griffin Dunne (lead actor in the film) and Amy Robinson were set on Tim Burton, who would have made his debut as a director, but when Scorsese became interested, Burton passed on the project to let him direct.
This film which looks like it is taken from a story by Kafka takes you on a lunatic journey through the dark streets of New York. An exciting comedy where danger lurks at every corner. The acting is great with Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette at the centre of this crazy adventure. We also liked the performance by a young Linda Fiorentino. The photography of the film by Michael Ballhaus is enchanting and create this dark but comedic atmosphere.
This absurd and surreal exploration was underrated when it came out even though it was a small success. Scorsese won the Award for best director at The Cannes Film Festival. It has gained a cult status over the years.
