'LIFE LESSONS' BY MARTIN SCORSESE FROM 'NEW YORK STORIES'

Throughout the film, music plays a crucial part of adding depth and further meaning to each scene. This is evident within the first scene as Nick Nolte's Lionel Dobie paces round his studio seemingly frustrated. During this Procal Harum's ' A Whiter Shade of Pale' non diegetically plays. There are various interpretations of the lyrical meaning behind this song, however one which I believe is applicable here is that it is a reference to death and this in turn is used in the film to foreshadow the death of Lionel's relationship with his assistant Paulette, the title itself referring to the colour of a corpse. The other possible connection may also be that the title may link to Paulette's spiritual imagery as she is introduced, cut between the hazes of smoke from Lionel's cigarette. 

The songs in question which are used throughout the film also carry a theme of a very independent lifestyle such as Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone', here a clear reference to Lionel's state of mind with him being an artist and focusing upon the abstract approach to painting. 

The editing within this film also aids in conveying various meanings and symbols. The rapid cuts used during any flash photography, not only reflect the speed at which the photographers must act in order to get a good shot, but also sybolise Lionel's flurry of emotions which he may be feeling as Paulette has left and he is without an assistant. The swift cuts may also be used to contrast with the smooth slow shots in the previous scene. The constant freeze frames after each photograph may also be used to contrast with the previous scene in which Lionel is painting frantically due to his anger at Paulette.


During the basketball scene, 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' is used again, this time diegetically, and the jump cuts are almost perfectly in time with the music. The shots of him shooting the basketball are taken from a high angle and track down as the ball falls through the hoop each time. This short sequence is cut up so that as soon as the ball falls through the hoop, it returns to Lionel as he takes another shot, giving a much speedier and rhythmic tempo. The shots also cut as the basketball hits the floor, most notably when Paulette slams her pillow down in anger at the volume of the music.