Who's That Knocking at My Door a.k.a I Call First (1967)

Martin Scorsese's feature debut. Who's That Knocking at My Door is not only a blueprint for the masterworks yet to come from Scorsese, but a first feature that's fitting of the master Scorsese has always been. As a director, his eye has consistently been lightyears ahead of what other filmmakers were doing at that moment. This is a film that tells a complex, peculiar, yet simple story in a beautifully cinematic way. From the very beginning, Scorsese straight up tackles Italian-American catholicism, and what he sees highly hypocritical about it. J.R. is an average Italian American catholic who's too afraid to bed a woman who he thinks is a virgin, while sleeping around with as many NYC prostitutes as he could get his hands on. Upon hearing from her that she had been raped in a previous relationship, J.R. angrily chastises her as a whore who deceived him of her purity. J.R. is like any guy you know, except grosser and stupider. He lives a life of sin, while acting holier that thou. It's an intimate look at the spiritual battles of a morally bankrupt schmuck. That concept, purely, is what dominates the Scorsese filmography. Mediocre, terrible men, and the bad decisions they make. This is a mandatory screening for all Scorsese fans. It's fascinating to take a look at how far the man has come from this seminal moment in his career. Flaws and all. Yes, this film has quite a few structural flaws, if you can believe it. Scorsese wasn't born perfect, and that's what makes this thing all the more beautiful. 4 STARS.