Matt Damon Reveals Which Scorsese Film He Considers Absolutely Flawless
The Hollywood star opens up about working with the legendary director and shares his thoughts on which Martin Scorsese masterpiece stands above all others in the filmmaker's impressive catalog.
Working alongside Martin Scorsese represents a career milestone for any performer, though few have enjoyed the repeated collaborations that Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio have experienced. Matt Damon joined this exclusive club just once, appearing in the 2006 crime drama The Departed alongside DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen.
The film, inspired by Boston's Winter Hill Gang and adapted from the Hong Kong thriller Internal Affairs, explored themes of corruption and double identities through the story of FBI agent John Connolly. Despite its critical acclaim and awards success, Damon believes another Scorsese work towers above the rest.
The Director's Golden Era
During an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Damon reflected on Scorsese's incredible creative streak during his early-to-mid career period. The actor marveled at the director's consecutive masterpieces, noting how each film seemed to surpass expectations.
"Every time he does a movie – he does Mean Streets, then he does Taxi Driver and then Raging Bull, and it's like my God, amazing; he just on such a tear in that timeframe," Damon explained. "Then it's like, what could he possibly do, and he does Goodfellas. That movie is perfect. Everybody loves that movie. I think that's his best film."
A Masterpiece of Criminal Cinema
The 1990 mob epic showcases Scorsese's signature style through its dynamic cinematography, carefully curated soundtrack, and complex storytelling structure. The film captures both the seductive appeal of criminal power and the devastating consequences of moral compromise within organized crime.
This particular work established Scorsese as a major force in Hollywood, though Damon argues its true value transcends awards recognition. The enduring popularity and cultural impact matter more than any ceremony accolades, he suggests.
Awards Don't Define Legacy
"There's just no question that 30 years later, that movie is what it is. So that's why it's not that worth getting twisted or out of shape about nominations because nobody's going to remember if somebody backed into a nomination by campaigning really well. Like Ray Liotta didn't get nominated. In 30 years, that's not going to mean anything. It's so damn good," Damon observed.
While Joe Pesci earned Best Supporting Actor recognition for his role, Ray Liotta's snub for his portrayal of Henry Hill surprised many observers. Damon used this example to illustrate how lasting artistic merit outweighs temporary recognition.
Regarding his own Scorsese experience, Damon acknowledged that The Departed, despite winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, couldn't match the earlier masterpiece's brilliance. "Common perception kind of caught up with his genius by that point, so The Departed, I'm very proud to have been in that movie, but it's not one of Marty's best movies," he admitted.