Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Grande Finale to Scorsese’s Mob Epics
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
The Irishman is, quite simply, a Masterpiece.
When it was released last year many people were put off by its slow pace and epic length so the film didn’t get anywhere near the recognition it really deserved.
In Comparison with Scorsese’s other Mob films such as Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino, this one is not nearly as fast and flashy and it moves much more leisurely.
But that actually works perfectly with this material and the story Scorsese is telling.
The Irishman is much deeper and more melancholy than those films - but don’t worry - it still has plenty of the action and drama that those other other films are known for.
It is a story about friendship ...betrayal..and ultimately ....supreme regret.
Deniro Pacino and Pesci are all absolutely Magnificent- as you would expect.
As Frank Sheeran, Deniro begins by playing his typical gangster persona throughout the early part of the film , then as Frank gets older and the drama unfolds, he brings incredible resonance, regret and sadness.
There are some sequences here that are among the finest and most powerful of his career.
Pacino is sensational as Jimmy Hoffa with an electrifying performance that really captures the charisma that made him one of the most powerful figures in the Country for many years.
Joe Pesci returns to acting in his first role in many years as Russell Bufalino - and of course just casually delivers the best performance of his career.
On the surface he seems to be playing a father figure and mentor to Sheeran- but underneath he is as Menacing and as cold blooded as any character he’s ever played.
Instead of the fiery gun blazing of Tommy DeSimone from Goodfellas, this time he is QUIETLY a killer -who leaves the dirty work to others.
And Pesci seems to relish it.
Stephen Graham is also a standout as Tony Pro, Hoffas main rival and he steals just about every scene he is in.
As always with Scorsese’s films,The music is just great, perfectly capturing the different time periods the films story takes us through.
The films length is formidable, but as you watch the story and Scorsese takes you into his world - you wont even notice it.
The Irishman really feels like a Grande Finale to all the other Mob films Scorsese has done - a perfect conclusion to the story he began with Mean Streets and then took through Goodfellas and Casino.
This is also likely the last time you will see these talents working together at the very top of their craft like this...
so it truly is a film to be treasured.
