A mosaic of moments.

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2019)

As Scorsese once again returns to familiar territory of the gangster epic one would expect some diminishing returns; the film's deep structure is substantially similar to Goodfellas and Casino. Add in that the main actors are Scorsese mainstays and there was a real chance of this being warmed over hash. Instead, the similarities to earlier films works in the film's favor as Scorsese continues to hone the form. The intertext content causes us to re-examine the prior works.
The film is as much about examining a life lived as the inner working of the mob. The story is told in retrospective and the script repeatedly meanders in the way an old man does. De Niro and Scorsese both lean into Frank telling the story (it is a quasi confession) and this allows for a strong sense of time passing; of a life filled with ill fated choices and regret. At 3 hours and change the film is long but the length is for a rich fullness. This is a wonderfully comprehensive film.
Scorsese handles the special effects well. The film has some nonlinear editing that helps sell the de-aging. The visual effect themselves are quite good; I was surprised to learn that no make up was used for the three main actors. I had thought it was a blend of practical and CGI work. Even on the basic level of technique this is a interesting film.
My favorite aspect of the film is Pesci. It is not only good to see him again but his performance is a masterwork of icy understatement and malice. I don't know if it is a better performance than Goodfellas-the two characters are so different!-but I loved that Pesci choose to be restrained and controlled here. It acts as irony within the film and within his career.
This is one of the best films of the year.