By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA--?The Irishman? is a profound and deeply moving mob drama directed and produced by
Martin Scorsese and written by Oscar-winner and San Francisco State University alum,
Steven Zaillian, (?Schindler?s List? and ?American Gangster?). It?s adapted from the 2004 non-fiction book, ?I Heard You Paint Houses? by
Charles Brandt.
?The Irishman? reunites Scorsese with
Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro. The last time they all joined forces was for the 1995 movie, ?Casino.? What?s even more shocking is this marks the first time that Scorsese has collaborated with
Al Pacino.
During a recent press junket at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the legendary actors discussed making ?The Irishman? and working on this passion project. Check out Reel Movie Talk with director Martin Scorsese and the film's stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.
REEL MOVIE NEWS
Don?t be intimidated by the 209-minute running time of ?The Irishman.? It?s time well spent. Trust me. This is coming from a critic who prefers a solid two-hour movie. However, the acting from DeNiro, Pacino and particularly Joe Pesci is outstanding and will keep you riveted. Then again, even the supporting cast of Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin shine bright too.
After watching ?The Irishman? you walk away realizing that you?ve seen something rather exceptional.
Set in 1950s Pennsylvania, ?The Irishman? centers on WWII veteran Frank Sheeran (Played by Robert DeNiro). We see Frank sitting in a nursing home and he?s reflecting on his life.
This is a guy who drove meat packing delivery trucks. He gets greedy and starts selling the meat shipments to a local gangster named Russell Bufalino (Pesci). Well, Frank?s bosses get wind of what he?s doing and accuse him of stealing. It?s a big mess.
Well, sometimes crime does pay because Russell (Pesci) comes to Frank?s rescue and keeps him from going to jail. soon Frank is is doing Russell favors like knocking off guys. Frank does his job well.
Frank is soon introduced to Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), the head of the Teamsters Union and discovers the connection Hoffa has with Russell. It?s not long before Frank rises in the ranks and becomes Hoffa?s main bodyguard and all the power moves and maneuverings come into play. This is when ?The Irishman? really takes flight.
?The Irishman? covers a lot of ground and aside from the major stars, there are several other characters to keep track of. But this is a movie that you just allow to envelop you and experience all that it offers.
What?s also fascinating about ?The Irishman? is the film utilizes the innovative de-aging technology (Industrial Light and Magic) that shows DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci from their 30s, 40s and 50s. It?s impressive to see their lives unfold and as they grow older how the story evolves into an even broader movie about mortality, morality, friendship and family.
?The Irishman? is a masterful bit of filmmaking from Martin Scorsese. This Awards Season is looking much more exciting now as ?The Irishman? will no doubt lead the crowded pack.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 1530 AM and 93.1 FM.
Check Out This Trailer For
THE IRISHMAN"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics? Association (BFCA), The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), The Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
