Hoffa (1992)

A film based on the story of legendary union figure Jimmy Hoffa.

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer:

David Mamet

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Armand Assante

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Nicholson	...	James R. 'Jimmy' Hoffa
Danny DeVito	...	Bobby Ciaro
Armand Assante	...	Carol D'Allesandro
J.T. Walsh	...	Frank Fitzsimmons
John C. Reilly	...	Pete Connelly
Frank Whaley	...	Young Kid
Kevin Anderson	...	Robert Kennedy
John P. Ryan	...	Red Bennett
Robert Prosky	...	Billy Flynn
Natalija Nogulich	...	Jo Hoffa
Nicholas Pryor	...	Hoffa's Attorney
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Ted Harmon
Karen Young	...	Young Woman at RTA
Cliff Gorman	...	Solly Stein
Joanne Neer	...	Soignee Woman

Storyline

Jack Nicholson's portrait of Union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro (Danny DeVito). The film follows Hoffa through his countless battles with the RTA and President Roosevelt all the way to a conclusion that negates the theory that he disappeared in 1975.

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Plot Keywords:

union | rise and fall | organized crime | robbery | 1960s | 

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Taglines:

He didn't want law. He wanted justice.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and strong language

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jimmy Hoffa

Filming Locations:

Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$24,276,500 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Jersey Films, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the film, Robert Kennedy declares during the hearing "If Mister Hoffa is acquitted... I'll jump from the capitol dome!" In a scene that followed, but was cut, Hoffa and the others celebrate his acquittal by eating a cake shaped like the US Capitol Building and featuring a figurine Robert Kennedy jumping from the dome with a parachute.

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Goofs

When Bobby holds a knife to Hoffa's throat in the alley, they are approached by Billy Flynn. Flynn pulls a revolver from his coat and cocks it, but it is uncocked/cocked in subsequent shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bobby Ciaro: Want me to go call him up?
Jimmy Hoffa: Uh-unh.
Bobby Ciaro: Want a cup of coffee?
Jimmy Hoffa: No.
Bobby Ciaro: Want to go?
[Hoffa gives him a scornful glance]
Bobby Ciaro: You OK?
Jimmy Hoffa: Yeah.

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Connections

Featured in The 65th Annual Academy Awards (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Let's Make Love Tonight"
Written, Produced & Performed by Nicky Addeo

User Reviews

Should This Have Been Made?

While it is one of Nicholson's most challenging roles, as a viewer you find yourself more attached to director and co-star DeVito, who practically sunk every penny he owned into the making of this film. While the film did garner some Golden Globe nominations, altogether the film was a commercial and personal flop for all involved. The problem may have been that the world was not ready for this story. Nicholson is quite good as Hoffa, but one almost ignores the performance when you think of the personal attachment director DeVito had to the project. It is quite unfortunate because DeVito is interesting in a rare dramatic role. David Mamet did write a fine script and there is fine support from J.T.Walsh, Robert Prosky and Armand Assante.

In ten years, this film will be a classic!