An epic gangster film that has been described as a “masterpiece” is streaming on Netflix. With a near-perfect score of 95%, The Irishman is an American epic gangster film directed and produced by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Steven Zaillian. The 2019 film is based on the 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. It stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, with Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons, and Harvey Keitel in supporting roles.
The film’s synopsis reads: “The film follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes a hitman involved with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family before later working for the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). The film marked the ninth collaboration between Scorsese and De Niro, in addition to Scorsese’s sixth collaboration with Harvey Keitel, his fourth collaboration with Joe Pesci; his first with Al Pacino; the fourth collaboration between Pacino and De Niro; and the first collaboration between Pacino and Pesci altogether.”
The Irishman is universally acclaimed and its impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflects this. The critics consensus states: “An epic gangster drama that earns its extended runtime, The Irishman finds Martin Scorsese revisiting familiar themes to poignant, funny, and profound effect.”
One critic said: “It’s hard to believe a film about mob mentality and scandal can be a strong candidate for themes of doubt and remorse, but Martin Scorsese has done it with grace and perfection.”
“Martin Scorsese’s new film, starring De Niro, Pacino and Pesci, is as much about friendship and the passing of time as it is a thriller,” another added.
A fan of the film labelled it a “masterpiece”, while another mentioned the 209-minute runtime and said: “Really enjoyed this have watched multiple times, the long runtime definitely redeemed as the plot thickens!”
“If I had to pick one movie to watch for the rest of my life this would be up there for one of the finalists. Its a long movie but it deserved every minute of your attention I rewatch this movie when im bored, when im happy when im tired it just never misses,” a third added.
The Irishman is available to stream right now on Netflix.