After Five Former Losses, Martin Scorsese Has Finally Gotten His Reward

Last night, after previously having gone zero for five in prior Academy Award nominations for such films as Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Gangs of New York, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese was finally given the gold.

During the live presentation of the 79^th Annual Oscars, the "three amigos" of filmmaking, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Speilberg, and George Lucas took the stage to deliver this year's "Best Director" Oscar statuette.

Collectively, Coppola, Spielberg, and Lucas had the esteemed honor of presenting to Martin Scorsese his first Academy Award win for the film The Departed. Lucas is now the only of the four to still be without an Oscar.

When he reached the podium, an auditorium full of his peers and admirers all stood to recognize Scorsese's talent with a standing ovation accompanied by a number of cat calls and whoops. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who himself had a nomination, seemed overly joyous. The pair have enjoyed a six and a half year career together, collaborating on a great number of films.

About a month ago, Martin Scorsese received a Golden Globe for the same category. This time, Marty began, "I'm overwhelmed," and ended, "I'm so moved." His words in between were thanks of gratitude and the like. Immediately upon wrapping and exiting stage right, Scorsese was greeted by Jack Nicholson, who had been watching from the wings while awaiting to present the following award. Bear hugs ensued.

Not long after this, The Departed won yet another Oscar, it's further and most prestigious of the night, "Best Picture." Producer Graham King accepted the Oscar for the film, which beat out Little Miss Sunshine, Babel, The Queen, and Letters from Iwo Jima. He began his speech, "To be standing her where Martin Scorsese won his Oscar is such a joy."

The other two awards won for the film were "Best Adapted Screenplay" and "Best Editing."

It has long been obvious that Martin Scorsese is ingenious in his directing ability. Well-respected by fellow filmmakers and fans alike, he has continued to work his craft, even though until last night, he has been denied an Oscar.

What does this tell us? It's like a children's story with the life lesson included -- Sometimes the best person doesn't immediately get rightfully acknowledged, but that doesn't mean he or she should give up.

If there was only one Oscar win that indisputably deserved, it was this one. Congratulations to Martin Scorsese. He earned it (and even surpassed that). I think one would be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks the award was wrongly distributed.