A heartwrenching masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 2019)

Just seeing DeNiro and Pacino joining forces on the silver screen again is enough to bring on the chills. And then there's Scorsese. And Pesci. Almost as if the stars have aligned to create the perfect trip down memory lane. A, possibly last, chance to see the giants of old act their hearts out against one another.
And truth be told, I didn't expect much more of this film. Some great nostalgia. Possibly a punch to the gut as I realize how time flies. And that would have been fine with me. I would still have paid to see it.
But it's clear as day that's not enough for them. Because this isn't just nostalgic nod to the past, but a masterpiece in its own right.
The film centers around DeNiro's character Frank, an old mob hitman telling us about his past. Of how he got to work for the Russell Bufaino (Pesci). Of his friendship and ultimate betrayal of Jimmy Hoffa (superbly portraited by Pacino). And of his regrets in regards of to how his children came to view him and his crimes.
The three-and-a-half hour of runtime may scare some, but to me it was worth every second of it. The main trio of actors are excellent. As is the rest of the cast. And the camerawork. And most everything else; the suspense is high, dialogue is sharp and progress steady. But most of all I'm awed by the underlining sense of dread. The almost tangible fear of ending up old and alone.