The Irishman (2019)

8.5 /10

The Irishman is a 2019 biographical crime drama film directed and produced by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian, based on the book "I Heard You Paint Houses"  by Charles Brandt. It stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, with Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, and Jesse Plemons in supporting roles.

The Irishman traces the rise and fall of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) from his early days as a truck driver to the time when he becomes the Union leader and then becoming old. Frank starts to sell some part of the meat consignment to the local Italian gangsters. One day he meets Russell Bufalino(Joe Pesci) the head of the powerful crime family. Frank soon graduates from fixing to whacking and becomes a famous name in the community. Russell introduces Frank to Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), the head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. From here the next chapter of Frank's life starts.

Scorsese putting all three greatest and marvelous actors of the century Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino in one movie, one can imagine the degree and level of the movie. Definitely, you are going to get top class performances or let me say, Oscar grabbing performance.

The movie is extremely violent and a little bit funny at times. Lots of people are getting murdered and many cars get exploded and the President of the US getting assassinated. When any gangster or mafia or union leader whatever you wanna call them, is introduced for the first time,  the movie tells us the way, he is going to die in the future.  It is a melancholic reflection on friendship, betrayal and the unrelieved guilt men take to their graves.

For Frank, the killing was just an activity. He was the man who paints the house. But inside him, somewhere, he didn't want to do some things which were demanded. Scorsese wants you to dig that part and feel it. I would say there wasn't any single flaw that comes to my notice except the movie's length. In one line "It is what it is". Also, it is rumored to be the last mobster film of Scorsese. Well if it is, it's a very nice farewell. Overall, it one of the best movies of the year and will recommend to watch it in one go but if not possible, try it in parts.