Several months ago, Martin Scorsese was sighted in Williamsburg while directing a Chanel ad starring French heartthrob Gaspard Ulliel. Now the clip has come out, and it forces us to wonder: Why is Scorsese saving his most glamorous tendencies for one-off commercials?
Consider the evidence: Though often stereotyped as a director whose films are full of crime and tough guys, this Chanel ad is a larky, retro, gorgeous gem with style to burn (it's like if you took Roman Coppola's CQ and cast a French hunk as the lead), and it's not the first time I could say that about a Scorsese ad. Just a few years ago, Scorsese made a similarly polished champagne commercial called The Key To Reserva, a Hitchcock homage that was based on a three-page script by the North by Northwest director.
Marty! You could make a whole feature film this way, if you liked. Maybe even give Leo a vacation? I certainly wouldn't object.
Watch: Martin Scorsese Directed Chanel Bleu Ad With Gaspard Ulliel [The Playlist]