The Irishman

Name: The Irishman
Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Crime/detective, Documentary, Drama, History, Thriller
Released: 2019
Duration: 3 h 28 min
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano

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Crime/detective
Documentary

2019
Martin Scorsese
208 mins
15

Summary

Second World War veteran Frank Sheeran earns a tidy wage for his family as a meat truck delivery driver. He catches the eye of Pennsylvania crime boss Russell Bufalino, who utilises the former soldier's skill-set to eliminate rivals, which Frank refers to as "painting houses". Gangster drama, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel and Ray Romano

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Emma Simmonds

As sharp as the suits and as slick as the barnets of his protagonists, Martin Scorsese's return to the gangster genre finds him in fine form across an epic running time. Structured like his 1990 masterpiece GoodFellas and adapted from Charles Brandt's book by Steven Zaillian, it tracks the demise of Teamsters union honcho Jimmy Hoffa, vigorously played by Al Pacino. We're guided by Hoffa's associate Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who goes from meat delivery guy to Mob footsoldier when he falls in with "made man" Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). De Niro and Pacino share ample screen time - and, endearingly, several hotel rooms - with the former fitting the film like a favourite glove. Mob hits are subtly arranged and brutally carried out, and there's tension in the power struggles between these bruised, belligerent men. Although contemplative in places, the consequences are given short shrift - there really isn't much genuine soul-searching here. But Scorsese is playful and funny, too: an opening tracking shot leads knowingly into a retirement home, while there are nods to genre favourites in the casting and the music. It's not up there with classic Scorsese, but it's good to see the master back where he belongs.

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7.8/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameFrank Sheeran, "The Irishman"Robert De NiroJimmy HoffaAl PacinoRussell Bufalino, "McGee"Joe PesciAngelo BrunoHarvey KeitelBill BufalinoRay RomanoFelix "Skinny Razor" DiTullioBobby CannavaleYoung Peggy SheeranAnna PaquinAnthony Provenzano, "Tony Pro"Stephen GrahamRobert KennedyJack HustonChuckie O'BrienJesse PlemonsAnthony Salerno, "Fat Tony"Domenick LombardozziOlder PeggyLucy GallinaEwing KingBarry Primus