Post by Brad Nelson on Nov 30, 2019 19:30:47 GMT -8
The Irishman is basically Goodfellas II. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran (the Irishman in question) who is best pals with Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). But higher than them all is mob boss, Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). Harvey Keitel has more of a bit part as Angelo Bruno.
Ray Romano is good as the shyster lawyer. This movie is 2 hours, 26 minutes long but it maintains your interest throughout (if you like mob films).
De Niro gives the strongest performance. One reviewer gives a review of the type “No one should like this”:
I don’t blame him. This kind of stuff shouldn’t hold any fascination for us. We should be riveted to our seats about the story of a schoolteacher helping kids such as Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver. And that is a pretty memorable film.
But people flock to sex and violence. I don’t write the rules. This is nowhere near as violent or foul-mouthed as Goodfellas. And it’s nowhere near as funny. This is a pretty serious film from start to finish. At the end of 2-1/2 hours, you’ll be glad as hell that the FBI exists. But it is a fascinating story based (probably) on real events.
Al Pacino seems completely out of place as Jimmy Hoffa. He’s just the angry character you see in Scent of a Woman. That said, he’s very good as Lt. Col. Frank Slade playing Jimmy Hoffa. He’s electric.
Pesci plays the a quieter role as mob boss but stays completely within character and gives a strong performance. I’d love to see a spin-off of this with Ray Romano as the lawyer who works for the dark side. He plays it well.
All in all this is a depressing statement of humanity but pretty good film making. Considering the tons of junk on Netflix, this one stands out.
Ray Romano is good as the shyster lawyer. This movie is 2 hours, 26 minutes long but it maintains your interest throughout (if you like mob films).
De Niro gives the strongest performance. One reviewer gives a review of the type “No one should like this”:
I have no idea why so many people are fascinated by the mafia - maybe it's envy of the power - but they should not hold a fascination for civilised human beings.
I don’t blame him. This kind of stuff shouldn’t hold any fascination for us. We should be riveted to our seats about the story of a schoolteacher helping kids such as Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver. And that is a pretty memorable film.
But people flock to sex and violence. I don’t write the rules. This is nowhere near as violent or foul-mouthed as Goodfellas. And it’s nowhere near as funny. This is a pretty serious film from start to finish. At the end of 2-1/2 hours, you’ll be glad as hell that the FBI exists. But it is a fascinating story based (probably) on real events.
Al Pacino seems completely out of place as Jimmy Hoffa. He’s just the angry character you see in Scent of a Woman. That said, he’s very good as Lt. Col. Frank Slade playing Jimmy Hoffa. He’s electric.
Pesci plays the a quieter role as mob boss but stays completely within character and gives a strong performance. I’d love to see a spin-off of this with Ray Romano as the lawyer who works for the dark side. He plays it well.
All in all this is a depressing statement of humanity but pretty good film making. Considering the tons of junk on Netflix, this one stands out.
