The Irishman (2019) - Solid gangster drama with a few lengths - 7/10 (13/03/21)

The Irishman is an epic gangster drama by renowned director Martin Scorsese that clocks in at three and a half hours. Based upon true events, it tells the story of a truck driver who gets involved in organized crime. Irish-American war veteran Frank Sheeran starts doing different jobs for Russell Buffalino, a gangster boss who seems calm and diplomatic on the surface but who doesn't hesitate to be headstrong and violent when needed. Frank Sheeran is soon assigned to protect labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa who becomes a close friend to his family. As Jimmy Hoffa becomes more ambitious and egoistic as time goes by, he starts to be considered a liability by the organized crime members who had once supported him. Russell Buffalino orders Frank Sheeran to take out Jimmy Hoffa. Will the hitman be loyal to his boss or protect the man who has become his best friend?

The Irishman convinces on several levels. First of all, the settings from the fifties until the early years of the new millennium have been recreated with extraordinary care regarding cars, fashion and music. The soundtrack of this film is particularly outstanding and underlines the atmosphere of every single scene very accurately. The acting performances by veterans Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino are absolutely outstanding as they become one with their respective characters. The entire movie has been filmed in a calm and precise way that makes it almost look like a documentary. Despite its ambitious length, most parts of the film have solid flow and it was no challenge to watch the entire movie in one single session.

This movie however also has a few minor flaws. Despite its solid flow, the movie includes several unnecessary lengths. Especially the hotel bedroom conversations between Frank Sheeran and Jimmy Hoffa drag on for far too long. While the three main characters are properly developed, several side characters such as Frank Sheeran's family members are lacking progression and depth. The story is obviously based upon true events but the film is a little bit too slow, quiet and predictable for a gangster flick.

The bottom line is that this type of gangster drama should please genre fans but might seem a little bit tame, overlong and old-fashioned to younger audiences. The most outstanding elements are the precise directing, excellent acting performances and magnificent soundtrack. The movie's unconventional ending was very fitting, philosophical and thought-provoking in my opinion but other reviewers might criticize a certain lack of closure. This movie can't compete with Martin Scorsese's own Goodfellas but it's still a more than decent genre flick.