An ageing hitman for the Philadelphia mafia (Robert De Niro) reflects on events of the past fifty years – including his involvement in the disappearance of best friend and high-profile Chicago union man, Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).
Years in gestation, Martin Scorsese’s magnus opus to cinematic mob stories is a magnificent, stately, slow burn (209 minutes) of a feature as mafia head honchos Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel look to ‘influence’ politics of the day, including the presidential elections of JFK and Nixon, Hoffa’s control of the union, ownership of the Havana casinos and unquestioned business interests in the Philly/Delaware area.
But in spite of a feature full of incident and brimming with shady characters and passionate causes, with Pacino and Pesci superb, The Irishman is De Niro’s and Scorsese’s film. As much a psychological narrative as it is action-based, the drama unfolds at a stately pace, with Scorsese meditating on the culmination of his organised crime legacy (Casino, Goodfellas, Mean Streets et al), reunited with the likes of De Niro, Pesci and Keitel. It’s a crime-ridden ride – as you would expect – interlaced with moments of sublime humour. But what makes The Irishman truly memorable are those quiet, reflective moments writ large across De Niro’s expressive face.
Nominated for 10 Oscars in 2020 (yet controversially no nomimation for De Niro) but walked away empty-handed.
Rating: 92%
Director: Martin Scorsese (Casino, Goodfellas)
Writer: Steven Zaillian (Moneyball, Gangs of New York) – based on the novel by Charles Brandt
Main cast: Robert De Niro (Goodfellas, The Godfather), Al Pacino ( The Godfather, Carlito’s Way), Joe Pesci (Goodfellas, Casino)
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