In today’s movie landscape there are more and more directors re defining genres and setting new standards to what movie’s are and what they can be. There are also legendary directors that have and will never lose the unique touch they have with the way they tell stories. Since his first film in 1967’s Who’s That Knocking at My Door? Martin Scorsese has shown time and time again that he is one of the greatest directors that we will ever see. With the way that movies are presented today, with a new streaming service coming out every other month, there are more ways than ever to get a film released.
That isn’t saying that Scorsese can’t get a movie like The Irishman released in theaters. But with the story and the pacing that the film has (and the $159 million dollar budget) it does fit the mold as the perfect watch at home as one can finish it at their own leisure. As someone who loves and appreciates all of Scorsese’s work, it did not take much for me to get excited for this story to be told on the big screen. The Irishman (I Heard You Paint Houses) is completely based off the 2004 nonfiction book I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa.
From the title alone you understand why Scorsese wanted to have this movie made. Similar to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I believe that this movie is Scorsese’s magnum opus, which says a lot. Separating the story the legendary actors cast for this movie speak volumes as Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci all deliver familiar yet different types of performances.
Ultimately leading up to a chilling yet, captivating finale that leaves you completely floored. What I also enjoyed about this movie was the time it took to tell its story, yes it is 3 and ½ hours long but the editing and the performances kept me completely invested as I never cared about the time. Besides the main cast, the film also has some standout supporting and cameo performances. With recognition going to Ray Romano, Harvey Keitel, Sebastian Maniscalco, Bobby Cannavale, and Stephen Graham who all stepped up their game to bring even more to the movie. If one were to sum up the main takeaway from the film it would have to be that a life lived alone is a very hard reality. Without going into details you see just how complicated things with Frank become later in his life, captured only in a way that can be done by Scorsese. I cannot say enough about this movie. Catch it on Netflix and paint some houses on Thanksgiving to bring in the Holiday season.
The Verdict