Poor Man's Goodfellas

Rating: 7/10 (23 November 2019)

This was a long movie, and Scorsese indulges himself in the beginning and the end portions of the film. Who can try to edit down Scorsese? Some scenes you can see the lack of budget, like CGI glass in an explosion. However.....
Once it gets rolling it starts to feel like the mob flick it is, including dates and details about real "hits" and mob murders. Amazing light is shed on Cuba and the role the mob had to play in FDK's election, and the forthcoming Bay of Pig's fiasco. Pacino does well in his role, and there are some smooth laughs. The middle hour of the movie flies by, you can't help but concentrate.
On the other hand, Scorsese tried to milk the family angle too much, as no real connection between father and daughter was ever established - you can't break what you don't have.
AND As per usual De Niro and Pacino REFUSE to act alongside each other if you watch - they only have scenes with a stunt double's back of the head when the other is talking. Look at Heat (1994), it is the exact same. They won't talk to each other, so why act together.
Overall enjoyable yet lengthy, worth a watch.