Perhaps the Greatest Mob Drama Ever Made

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2019)

I was skeptical of this film before and after its release, and I gave Martin Scorsese's ultimate mob drama its due time to be discussed and criticized by the greater public before sitting down with it myself. For me, it is very hard to review; it is not a comedy, and it is not an action film. The de-aging technology is used well, but clearly imperfect. This is not the sort of film I see myself making or emulating in life. But, all things considered, I believe that this film is a masterpiece.
The Irishman has an extremely slow burn. For those fans of the mob film who are primarily in it for the action, this film will not satisfy. The action is sparse and brief, as were the actual killings it depicts. However, the journey of this film does not meander and, despite its length, is without excess. It is an epic that takes you through Frank Sheeran's life as a made man, from its beginning to its annihilation. Without a single tear being shed, the main character's suffering is well earned and very powerful. I can't recommend this film for everybody, but for those who can enjoy the drama of a silent life, this film is without flaw. It does what it set out to do, and it pulled at something deep within me, something within all of us, that desires to make everyone happy and simply cannot.