Forget the trailers and forget that The Irishman is a mob-related film. That's just the story on the surface. Yes, Martin Scorsese took a real-life story about a mob hitman, but this movie is about much more than just that. This writer, personally, isn't a fan of mob-related stories, but this one has so many layers to it, that the actual story takes a backseat.
The Irishman is a look at how time passes from the perspective of Frank Sheeran (Robert DeNiro). Old age comes to everyone and there comes a time in one's life when one's actions have to be faced and we have to come to terms with the life we've all lived. THAT is where DeNiro's character is brilliant in what results in his best performance in a very long time.
Joe Pesci and Al Pacino, long time legends of Scorsese lore, steal the show. It's hard to believe that Pesci has been in only two feature films in the past 21 years. He has lost NOTHING. Pacino is electric and stood out in the all-star ensemble. Despite its 209 minute runtime, this film never feels overlong. That's in full credit to the amazing Thelma Schoonmaker and her fantastic, fast-paced editing.
Scorsese used The Irishman as a "Greatest Hits Compilation". The best of just about every Scorsese movie was implemented in this picture. Ultimately, I liken it to Raging Bull (1980); a man lived a life doing all he did and faced old age with his best days have gone by. That sounds right. That sounds like a grizzled master filmmaker drawing a perspective through the eyes of Frank The Irishman.
My score: ★★★★
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