Truly the Mafia movie to end all Mafia movies

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2019)

I'll be up front and say that I haven't seen an overabundance of Mafia movies, nor of Martin Scorsese movies, so it's difficult for me to judge "The Irishman" in that context. That being said, the Irishman is undeniably epic in scale, mafia-y to the core, while still feeling relevant and meaningful.
The three-and-a-half hour film examines most of the lifespan of real life union official and mafia hitman Frank Sheeran as he becomes more powerful and influential both within mafia circles and in the public sphere. Everything one would expect from this kind of movie is present and in full force--fantastic performances from de Niro, Pacino, and Pesci, gritty violence, flashbacks and non-linear storytelling galore, powerful direction from Scorsese--so let me skip praising all the given elements of this movie and get to what really makes it special.
Firstly, the aesthetic of the movie is wonderful. Scorsese and the cinematography team masterfully selects a color palette fitting of the film, giving it a vintage, engrossing look. It's fitting that a movie so much about the 20th century looks and feels like it was made in the 80s or 90s. In addition, the CGI de-aging of the three stars for the flashback scenes is incredibly well done; it is truly Oscar-worthy work.
Despite the serious nature of the film, the dialogue remains snappy and funny when necessary. The movie isn't overly dark and serious; it knows exactly when it needs to be comedic and satirical and when to take itself seriously. Thus, it remains entertaining throughout despite the humongous runtime.
Overall, "The Irishman" feels very germane and loaded with meaning and emotion, which is one of the critical factors distinguishing this film from others like it. As it shows Frank Sheeran age and change throughout his life, he gradually becomes more distrustful, and even in old age he continues to be somewhat paranoid, protecting mob compatriots who are no longer alive. Although the film appears initially to glorify violence and life in a crime ring, Scorsese gradually subverts this idea by showing just how exhausting and painful it can be to live a criminal life. Although Sheeran's character never fully appears to grasp how difficult he has made his own life, it becomes apparent to the audience just how much harder his life is now that Sheeran must constantly be watching his back, scheming, and betraying other crime families. For this reason, the epic runtime of the film actually works to the film's advantage in a big way: as the audience becomes more worn out by watching Mafia activity and crime, it parallels how exhausting, inescapable and never-ending a life of crime feels to the characters.
The film also deals with themes of political corruption, which feels especially relevant in the current political climate. Throughout much of the film, the Mafia makes a huge impact on the campaign of whichever candidate they want to win, and it's clear just how much elections, presidential or otherwise, are influenced by those with money and power. In addition, the film discusses how the "top" of society is loaded with backstabbing, crime, and general immorality in the name of winning, no matter which side of the political spectrum. This is one of the most relevant-feeling aspects of this movie; that on top of all the other fantastic themes and smart direction, Scorsese also includes biting modern political commentary as part of the narrative.
There are a few issues with the film (few and far between as they are)--mainly its lack of importance for the female characters, the seemingly random usage of "I Heard You Paint Houses" as a title card early on in the movie, and de-aged Robert de Niro's eyes being way, way too blue (which is super distracting)--but ultimately these don't detract from a film that is epic, brilliantly crafted, and exceedingly thoughtful. It really feels like this is what Scorsese's career has been building to in some ways; it's a statement, both thematically and cinematically that will undoubtedly be discussed and praised for years to come.