I dont think any other director inspires sympathy for the Devil as stylishly and effectively as the maestro.
Financial fraudster and amoral stock market manipulator Belfort is far more dubious.
(Say what you like about Travis Bickle.
At least he had principles and earned an honest wage, working hard in a legitimate occupation.)
That brings us back to Martin Scorsese and his antiheroes.
They are all marked by darkness, but the most compelling and challenging is probably real-life figure Hughes.
The high-flying billionaire film enthusiast (Im talking about Hughes here.
Martys net worth is only in the millions) is rendered as a figure to hold in awe.
Hes a spirited, bold innovator to cheer on as he goes up against the obstacles.
Hes a tragic figure to pity as we bear witness while obsessive compulsive disorder cripples him.
Some are more straightforwardly sympathetic.
Id argue, however, that the best examples of the character pop in appear in Scorseses works.
Scorsese is the true champion of this trope.
The list goes on and is most likely extended by DiCaprios Jordan Belfort.
All of them are indelible and sublimely appealing and thats down to Scorseses knack for cinematic characterisation.
Marty makes us understand and thus empathise with these exigent antiheroes.
We are with them as underdogs and outsiders dreaming of bigger things.
We admire their balls, their audacity and boldness.
We identify with their rage, their greed and their ruthless resolve.
Thats why were rooting for the bad guys in these movies.
Theres also, understandably, something very Catholic in Martin Scorseses approach to characters.
Everyone is ultimately a sinner yet theres hope that all can become saintly, shining icons of goodness.
Martin Scorsese didnt become a priest so his moral explorations are performed through the medium of cinema.
No other filmmaker has ever stirred up so much sympathy for the Devil.
You canread James last column here.