Martin Scorsese proves he's not very good at summarizing famous films in 5 seconds


The Tonight Show game "5-Second Summaries" involves one person trying to summarize a famous movie in 5 seconds (or less) for the second person to guess. Jimmy Fallon is pretty good at the game. Director Martin Scorsese, Fallon's guest Wednesday night, is not. Scorsese proved very able at guessing movies, but when it came to summarizing them, he just didn't seem to know the right details to include. "You're too much of a director," Fallon said after Scorsese's terrible 3-second summary of Casablanca. "My movies are long — what can I tell you?" Scorsese explained. But the famous director did catch on, and his 1-second summary was spot-on, even if Fallon almost blanked on Rosebud. Watch this lesson in the perils of knowing too much below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Monique Olivier: widow of 'ogre' serial killer goes on trial
Speed Read The French woman is charged with complicity in Michel Fourniret's murder of British student Joanna Parrish and two other victims
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
How leasehold reforms could help homeowners
The Explainer The government has introduced new legislation to address unfair fees and exploitation in the leasehold system
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
'Magic, wonder and joy'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Singer Cassie accuses music mogul Diddy of decade of rape and abuse
Speed Read Rapper denies claims in lawsuit describing him as a 'serial domestic abuser'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Bad Bunny joins in criticism of AI music
Speed Read Concern growing in music industry over generative learning, unauthorised impersonations and copyright issues
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Friends' star Matthew Perry dies at 54
Speed Read The actor reportedly drowned in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
World's oldest dog ever, Bobi, dies at 31
Speed Read Bobi was an astonishing 217 years old in dog years
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
World's spiciest new pepper is hotter than police pepper spray
Speed Read The 'Pepper X' is around three times hotter than the previous hottest pepper
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
United Airlines prioritizing window seats in attempt to expedite boarding process
Speed Read The process will affect passengers with economy tickets
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Alec Baldwin may be charged again in 'Rust' shooting
Speed Read Prosecutors plan to bring an involuntary manslaughter charge before a grand jury
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published