I almost never do movie reviews, for the simple reason that I don't see many new movies. Why should I, when there's so much dreck coming out of Hollywood... sequels, prequels, "action movies" featuring superhuman characters... And then there's the horror of going to a cinema, to be surrounded by people stuffing their faces with junk food while at the same time talking or texting on their idiot phones. Who needs it?
So I waited until last night, when The Irishman debuted on Netflix (it was in the theatres on November 1st) to see what was hailed by reviewers as "the best movie of the decade", "an instant classic", "Martin Scorsese's best film ever", and so on. I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. I didn't even take a break at any point during the three-and-a-half-hour epic.
The Irishman tells the story of Frank Sheeran (played by Robert DeNiro), who, near the end of his life, claimed to be the one who killed Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) at the behest of Mafia boss Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). Here's the trailer.
Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries and connections to mainstream politics. The story is told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century, and through his connection with Jimmy Hoffa became president of the Detroit Local (299) of the Teamsters Union.
Martin Scorsese has coaxed fine performances out of a trio of aging stars. Al Pacino is a bit larger-than-life as Jimmy Hoffa, but then Hoffa himself was larger-than-life. Joe Pesci plays Russell Bufalino with meancing understatement, so well that you forget his unfunny performances as the comic relief in earlier movies. And Robert DeNiro, as Frank Sheeran, nailed it.
I was watching with a critical eye for historical or other inaccuracies, but if you accept as truthful what Frank Sheeran told author Charles Brandt, as detailed in I Heard You Paint Houses, the book on which the movie is based, you'll not find much in the movie about which to be skeptical. I give it the highest possible rating - **** - four stars!
Further reading: "Frank Sheeran's Ring in The Irishman: What Does It Mean?", on Heavy.com. Spoiler Alert! Walt recommends reading this after you've seen the movie.
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