The Irishman
2019
***
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Harvey Keitel, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Kathrine Narducci, Welker White, Jesse Plemons, Domenick Lombardozzi, Gary Basaraba
Martin Scorsese's epic gangster biopic is based on Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa, which may or may not depict the real events that led to the unsolved disappearance of Teamsters Union boss Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran starts as a hustling truck driver but becomes a hitman for the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family and later a labour union official under the tutelage of the charismatic but uncompromising Hoffa. Although the film is 3½ hours long, it held me in its grip, although there is an endless flow of brief character introductions and an excessive amount of historical trivia. And yet, not enough time to flesh out the estranged relationship between Frank and his daughter Peggy to produce the necessary dramatic impact. The whole thing is beautifully orchestrated by Scorsese, but there is a distinct lack of freshness. I feel like I've seen every scene done better in Goodfellas, Casino, or The Departed. It is great to see Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci finally share the screen, but only the wonderfully understated Pesci gives a memorable performance. The unconvincing de-aging effects cannot hide the fact that these actors are in their seventies.
