POWER IN THE UNION

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2019)

On the heels of a glorious Marvel Universe diss, old school filmmaker Martin Scorsese does more than yell at the kids, he delivers a marvellous film. "The Irishman" works as a splendid godson to the great mafia melodramas way back in the last millennium, but it also offers up a simple hypothesis to the whatever the hell happened to Jimmy Hoffa quandary. And more importantly, why it happened.
As the big mouthed, wide-eyed teamster boss, Pacino channels his late career one dimensional blustery best into a role perfectly suited to an uncomplicatedly stubborn character, but really, Al jumped the shark when he started smelling women. Then, as the well-meaning, overtly dedicated and stupidly subservient henchman Frank Sheeran, we have Robert De Niro. He IS this movie. A matter of fact narration from the old folks home guides the action that swings from comedic posturing to blunt violence at the slightest provocation. Frank is simple. Frank is congenial. Everyone likes Frank. Except a daughter. That tense relationship is his lone regret, and a vital running thread.
Spanning decades, and with the help of computer manipulation (make up? we don't need no stinkin' make up!), "The Irishman" follows these badfellows from virile hoodlums to decrepit, shaky shells. It's a startling bit of cinema magic, especially for the grape to raisin transformation of a shrinking Joe Pesci. Plus, it's pretty cool to see former Godfathers Pacino and De Niro come full circle to rekindle their glorious gangster past.
There's a lot to love and loathe here (in a good way), from the simmering development of lifelong relationships, to silly, seemingly mundane character interaction ("who wears shorts to a meeting?"). Most importantly Scorsese manages to warp time with this film; it is a super quick three and a half hours of your life. A hit.