The Irishman (2019)

A mob hitman recalls his friend Jimmy Hoffa.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Charles Brandt (book)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci

Nominated for 10 Oscars. Another 53 wins & 280 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Frank Sheeran
Al Pacino	...	Jimmy Hoffa
Joe Pesci	...	Russell Bufalino
Harvey Keitel	...	Angelo Bruno
Ray Romano	...	Bill Bufalino
Bobby Cannavale	...	Skinny Razor
Anna Paquin	...	Older Peggy Sheeran
Stephen Graham	...	Anthony 'Tony Pro' Provenzano
Stephanie Kurtzuba	...	Irene Sheeran
Jack Huston	...	Robert Kennedy / RFK
Kathrine Narducci	...	Carrie Bufalino
Jesse Plemons	...	Chuckie O'Brien
Domenick Lombardozzi	...	Fat Tony Salerno
Paul Herman	...	Whispers DiTullio
Gary Basaraba	...	Frank 'Fitz' Fitzsimmons

Storyline

Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran is a man with a lot on his mind. The former labor union high official and hitman, learned to kill serving in Italy during the Second World War. He now looks back on his life and the hits that defined his mob career, maintaining connections with the Bufalino crime family. In particular, the part he claims to have played in the disappearance of his life-long friend, Jimmy Hoffa, the former president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who mysteriously vanished in late July 1975 at the age of 62.

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Plot Keywords:

nonlinear timeline | criminal as protagonist | killer as protagonist | murder | truck driver | 

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Taglines:

His story changed history.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and strong violence.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Latin Spanish

Release Date:

27 November 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Heard You Paint Houses

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$159,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$961,224

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tribeca Productions, Sikelia Productions, Winkler Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

209 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color Color (HD)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was originally set to have a wide theatrical release (being the first Netflix original film to do so). However, in August of 2019, it was announced that Netflix canceled the theatrical release, much to the chagrin of Scorsese fans. However it still received limited theatrical release in select theaters, and played at a majority of Alamo Drafthouses.

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Goofs

During the real-life assassination of Albert Anastasia in the barbershop of the Park Sheraton Hotel, the hitmen covered their faces with scarves before carrying out the hit. But in the film, the hitmen are seen approaching their target with no attempt being made to cover their faces.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Frank Sheeran: [narrating] When I was young, I thought house painters painted houses. What did I know? I was a working guy. A business agent for Teamster Local 107 out of South Philly.
Frank Sheeran: One of a thousand working stiffs... until I wasn't no more. And then I started painting houses... myself.

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Crazy Credits

Other than the Netflix logo and the film's original title (I Heard You Paint Houses), there are no opening credits for this movie.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Robert De Niro/Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Nick Guerra (2016)

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Soundtracks

O God of Loveliness
Written by Alfonso de' Liguori
Performed by The United States Coast Guard Band
Courtesy of The United States Coast Guard

User Reviews

Almost Perfection

Other reviewers at the top, when sorted by Helpfulness, have already covered much of what makes this film so exceptionally good. As such, and knowing that I have a tendency to sometimes exceed the number of allowed characters, I'd like to add just a couple of small things.

First, the sets and costuming were near perfection. Every SINGLE piece of clothing which the characters wore, down to cuff-links, handbags, hair pins and shoes were of the era. That kind of meticulous detail can only bode well for a film. If the creators care enough about the small details, imagine what they do with the big ones.

Secondly, in many films now, where there is a well-known and varied cast, you find that the screen time each devotes in comparison to the film run time, really leaves a little to be desired. That is not the case here. Almost every second of every scene is filled with one or more of these masterful actors, actually acting. Performing. Pulling you in to the world they are creating. All, without the need of heavy CGI or filler. As Hoffa might say: they get right down to brass tacks - and, pardon the pun, deliver.

DeNiro, Pacino, Pesci, Keitel. Enough said. Leave politics at the door, and enjoy.

Excellent film all around.