The Final Curtain

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2019)

A once in a lifetime event of having the two greatest actors in film history surrounded by a constellation of talented thespians with a director who perhaps may be the greatest of them all and you know this won't dissapoint. Robert De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, a truck driver who comes across union boss and mob affiliate Jimmy Hoffa portrayed by Al Pacino and the two strike a friendship made in mob and cinema heaven. The film chronicles the twists and turns of the two as they cruise and bruise their way into the underworld. Joe Pesci steps out of retirement and lends his distinct and memorable presence hearkening the film to a reunion following the great tradition of "Goodfellas" and "Casino" in look, color, pace and vibe. As inevitably memorable the film naturally is unfortunately the slow going pace of a lot of parts and the age of the actors snag what should have been a pinnacle of the silver screen. De Niro's too old to play his character and no amount of make-up can deny this. And as solid as the performances are there are no particular standouts and one gets the impression the aging legends are a bit too long on the tooth with the job and a jaded weariness permeates their performances. Of course, it doesn't get more monumental than this and any flaws are immediately sidelined by the talent and importance involved. One of the standout films in a year that has stood out in cinema history this is one you shouldn't miss if you consider yourself the slightest bit of a movie fan. And this may be the final time Pacino, De Niro and Scorsese ever make a film together. Nothing could be more moving, poignant and as essential as that.