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Over the last five decades, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have become Hollywood legends, best known for their roles in dark crime thrillers. Though they’re often mentioned together, it’s been more than a decade since they last appeared on screen together (in 2008’s Righteous Kill). But their latest collaboration, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman definitely makes for a big, bold reunion.
The Irishman looks back on the long and violent career of Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran (De Niro). Frank learned to kill while he was fighting in Italy during WWII, and after returning to Philly after the war, he finds himself driving a meat truck and running his own deals on the side to make some extra money. Through his shady contacts, he begins working for mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). And after he does a series of deadly “favors” for the Bufalinos, Russell introduces him to wildly popular Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino).
Based on Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses—the result of five years of interviews with Frank Sheeran—The Irishman follows Frank’s story from his early days driving a truck to his final days, as he reveals his deepest secrets. Chronologically, it skips around, taking jumps that might catch viewers off guard. And it certainly helps if you know a little bit about the players and the context. But it all comes together to tell a captivating story about crime and loyalty.
Really, there’s a lot to discuss when it comes to this mobster exposé—starting with its runtime. Clocking in at a daunting three and a half hours in length, it’s definitely long. And it’s not the kind of action-packed three hours of, say, Avengers: Endgame (a comparison that I realize would make Scorsese’s skin crawl). It’s the kind of long that you feel—that you live. And, admittedly, it could have been tightened, to make the experience a little less exhausting.
The story, however, explores some interesting aspects of Frank’s career—his work for quietly controlling Russell, his relationship with the union superstar, and the times when he was forced to choose sides. It also offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of both organizations—of the partnerships, the rivalries, and the alliances. In fact, the film reveals so much and drops so many little tidbits of information along the way that it encourages a second (and third) viewing.
Still, despite the film’s intimidating runtime, it feels like something’s missing. Some of the characters don’t get the attention that they deserve—especially the wives and children. They’re here, but they remain in the background, stepping into the story only when it’s convenient—like Frank’s daughter, Peggy (played as an adult by Anna Paquin), who seems to have her own story to tell—yet she barely gets a chance to tell it. And, despite its secrets, its revelations, and its complex tale of loyalties and obligations, you might still feel like you’ve missed something in the end.
With its slow-burn story and the perfect Award Season cast, The Irishman offers a captivating exploration of crime, politics, and a decades-old mystery. The runtime is definitely intimidating—and you might want to stock up on chocolate and caffeine before you dive in—but it’s still worth the time.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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