Martin Scorsese's hardships as a youth, including struggles with health issues and his experiences growing up in a working-class Italian-American neighborhood, significantly shaped his films. His early exposure to crime and the complexities of urban life informed his storytelling and character development. Scorsese's passion for film began at a young age, fueled by his desire to address themes of identity, violence, and redemption. His body of work often reflects a gritty realism while exploring the moral ambiguities of his characters, ultimately cementing his status as a transformative figure in American cinema.