Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actor; Al Pacino, Best Supporting Actor; Joe Pesci, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects.
Runtime: 209 minutes
MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive language and strong violence)
Who should see it? Adult fans of Martin Scorsese films.
Based on Charles Brandt's novel I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman is directed by Martin Scorsese and features a screenplay from Steven Zaillian. Scorsese began developing The Irishman at Paramount till the studio hesitated at the substantial budget of over $150 million required to fully realize Scorsese's vision. Netflix, however, had no objections. The streaming giant's keen on being a filmmaker-friendly space, so the service may attract high profile talent and add a robust slate of original content to their library. Last year, Netflix found great awards success with Roma, receiving their first Best Picture nomination. And the studio is primed to be a significant player this awards season as well with at least four major contenders up their sleeves headed up by The Irishman and Marriage Story.
At three and a half hours long, The Irishman may seem like a daunting watch. I thought so, too, but didn't find that to be the case in my viewing. Scorsese's latest mobster picture moves at a leisurely pace, but never feels its length on behalf of Scorsese's dependable editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Though I'd recommend seeking it out in theaters for those willing and able, the power to pause The Irishman from the comfort of your own home may be more enticing and alleviate those concerns. The semantics of preferred viewing methods aside, The Irishman is a robust motion picture. As one comes to expect from a distinguished auteur, the craftsmanship is impeccable and will be dissected for years to come. In many ways, this is the culmination of Scorsese's career as a pensive meditation on life's inevitabilities.
Regarding the film's thoroughly-discussed digital de-aging effects, I'm unsure whether they'll hold up to the scrutiny of streaming. When watching The Irishman uninterrupted, as intended, I didn't notice any glaring effects that fell into the uncanny valley. However, when a viewer can pause, the flaws may be much more noticeable. It did take me a while to adjust to De Niro's blue eyes. Still, I don't know if that was due to my familiarity with the actor or the quality of the effect (whether it be colored contact lenses or a digital adjustment). Nevertheless, the de-aging effects were very convincing.
While given far less attention in the film's promotional material, the makeup and vfx used to age up the actors are equally effective. Other noteworthy technical elements include Bob Shaw's intricate production design, era-appropriate costuming from Christopher Peterson and Sandy Powell, and captivating cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto. A curated soundtrack of pop and rock hits and Robbie Robertson's transfixing main theme propel things forward nicely.
As for the ensemble, Scorsese's got Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci at his disposal, need I say more? Par the course, this trio of legendary actors turn in exceptional performances. De Niro's the most subdued of the bunch while Pacino's got the showiest role, and Pesci effortlessly wavers between friendly and menacing. Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Ray Romano, Jesse Plemons, and Bobby Cannavale amongst the supporting cast.
Regarding the controversy about the lack of female characters with prominent speaking roles, it is true that women are mostly sidelined. Be that as it may, there's more nuance to this debate than detractors would have you believe. The amount of lines given to an actor doesn't determine the value of their performance. Dialogue isn't necessary for a character to leave an impression, and I thought Anna Paquin's solemn silence spoke more volumes than any words possibly could. It's a deliberate choice, but reducing the controversy to declare Scorsese sexist is an absurd notion.
More Silence than Goodfellas, Scorsese's hushed contemplation of morality and mortality may seem at odds with the general perception of mobster movies. Yet Scorsese still manages to reinvent himself at 77-years-old, traversing familiar ground with a fresh perspective. The Irishman finds an acclaimed filmmaker still at the top of his game in spite of age. Only age is not actually the detractor, but rather the driving force behind this changed point of view.
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