This is a fictional movie based on real life characters. Pat
Conroy called this type of story “faction.” A truck driver in the 1950’s
(Robert De Niro) becomes involved with the Bufalino crime family of Pennsylvania,
and is soon in over his head. He climbs the ladder to the very top to become a
powerful hit man. Then he goes to work for Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), a teamster
leader with ties to organized crime. Everything goes south when Hoffa is
murdered, landing Frank (De Niro) in prison along with Russell (Pesci). It is
of interest to note that Joe Pesci actually came out of retirement to act in
The Irishman.
Scorsese utilizes many of his usual suspects in this
blockbuster. In addition to DeNiro and Pacino, there is Joe “Do I amuse you?” Pesci,
Harvey Keitel, and Bobby Cannavale. Also featured are Anna Panquin (The X-Men), Ray Romano (Everybody
Loves Raymond), and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the cameos by Steve
Van Zandt (The Sopranos. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) as singer
Jerry Vale and Jim Norton as a dead-on Don Rickles. Just a stellar cast, and
each one of these actors gives his or her 100 percent best performance.
The 209-minute film ranks right up there with mob films like
The Godfather, Scarface and Goodfellas. Yes, it’s that good. Scorsese is the undisputed
king of mafia crime films, and The Irishman is one of his best. Five out of
Five Stars. (Can I give six?)
-Michael Buffalo Smith
I agree, this was a great movie. Although, prior to sitting down and actually watching the film, I thought the movie's promotional material came off as a sad rewind of Martin Scorsese's past list of great mob films that you noted. I was also surprised that it didn't get its chance on the big screen as well. But I believe the attention span of the modern movie-goer can't seem to get past that 3-hour mark very often, and for that reason I think the on-the-couch release was a better marketing option. However, I think one of its marketing blunders was to "NOT" focus the promotional messaging of the movie on Jimmy Hoffa. I think had they pushed this movie as a "likely scenario" as to how, and why he disappeared - his name would carry a great curiosity appeal across multiple age demographics. Especially in a day and age where unions are battling for their relevance. Hoffa's leadership built into the storyline of the movie serves as a history lessons to younger workers needing to see why unions were needed in this country.
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