The Irishman

The Irishman
source
Name	The Irishman
Director	Martin Scorsese
Producer	Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Patricia Klingenberg
Based on	I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt
Starring	Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham
Music	Robbie Robertson
Cinematography	Rodrigo Prieto
Edited by	Thelma Schoonmaker
Studio	Sikelia Productions, Tribeca Productions, Tribeca Film
Distributor	Netflix
Released	2019
Runtime	209 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Irishman is a 2019 American epic crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. The film chronicles decades in the life of hitman Frank Sheeran and his ties to labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, organized crime families, and political figures, depicting events across postwar United States history. Featuring de-aging visual effects and a star-studded ensemble, the film prompted discussion in film criticism, labor history, and studies of 20th-century American politics.

Plot

Set across the mid-20th century to the late 20th century, the narrative follows Frank Sheeran, a World War II veteran and truck driver who becomes involved with the Bufalino crime family and later alleged ties to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Scenes depict Sheeran's service in World War II campaigns, his postwar work with Teamsters locals, interactions with figures from the Gambino crime family, and meetings with leaders of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The storyline moves through key moments such as confrontations with rival unions, the expansion of organized crime enterprises in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, union pension negotiations, and the contentious relationship between Hoffa and federal prosecutors from the Robert F. Kennedy era. Major set pieces include assassination assignments, congressional hearings influenced by the McClellan Committee, and Hoffa's attempted return to power amid investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Department of Justice.

Cast

The principal cast is led by Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa, and Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino. Supporting performances include Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Jesse Plemons, and Domenick Lombardozzi. The ensemble evokes connections to cinematic traditions from Goodfellas collaborators to actors associated with The Sopranos and other crime dramas linked to HBO. Casting choices drew on actors with histories in films by Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola-era alumni, and performers tied to regional theaters such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company and institutions like the American Conservatory Theater.

Production

Development began after producer Patricia Klingenberg optioned Charles Brandt's book; project producers included Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal through Tribeca Productions. Scorsese reunited with editor Thelma Schoonmaker and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto; music was composed by Robbie Robertson of The Band. Production negotiated location shoots in New York City, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to recreate mid-century settings like Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia neighborhoods. Visual effects work for digital de-aging involved firms experienced in feature postproduction connected to projects by Industrial Light & Magic alumni and visual effects supervisors who had worked on films with James Cameron and Peter Jackson. The screenplay, written by Steven Zaillian, adapted Brandt's investigative reporting and incorporated archival research from repositories such as the National Archives and Records Administration and transcripts from the Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management. Principal photography employed long takes and Steadicam sequences recalling techniques used in earlier Scorsese films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

Release and reception

The film premiered at the New York Film Festival before a limited theatrical run and global streaming release on Netflix. Critics from outlets tied to the Cannes Film Festival circuit and publications associated with the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety (magazine) praised the ensemble, direction, editing, and production design, while noting the film's nearly three-and-a-half-hour runtime. It received nominations and awards consideration from institutions including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Box office and streaming metrics sparked debates between traditional distributors like Warner Bros. and streaming platforms such as Netflix about theatrical windows, with responses from exhibitors represented by organizations like the National Association of Theatre Owners. Scholarly and critical discourse situated the film within Scorsese's oeuvre alongside works such as Goodfellas, Casino, and The Departed.

Historical accuracy and controversies

Scholars, journalists, and participants debated the film's portrayal of events surrounding Hoffa's disappearance and Sheeran's confessions, comparing them to investigative reports by journalists at the New York Post, The Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune. Historians from institutions like Rutgers University, Fordham University, and CUNY Graduate Center examined archival records from the FBI and court transcripts from the United States District Court to test claims in Brandt's book. Controversies included disputes over testimony reliability, discrepancies with accounts from former prosecutors like representatives of the U.S. Attorney's Office, and rival narratives advanced by researchers at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters archives. Legal scholars referenced precedents involving hearsay and statutory limitations in high-profile cases from the Supreme Court of the United States when assessing evidentiary weight. Debates extended to ethical discussions among film critics and media ethicists at venues such as Columbia University and University of Southern California regarding dramatization of contested historical events.

Category:2019 films