12/18/19 - The Irishman (2019) - 5+/6-/10

There are a variety of elements that inform one’s opinion on a film. Sometimes it really grabs you dramatically or emotionally. Other times it is the excitement of the action, the story or innovations. The Irishman had none of that. What the it did have is a high level of film competency and keen storytelling. It uses tried and true avenues that reminded us of Scorcese’s past paradigms, dripping De Niro and Pacino in our waiting mob receptors. Unfortunately, it was missing the magic of his true gangster classics, simply providing a capable facsimile. It has the quantity, but it is missing the qualitative necessity.

It had no heart, which was distinctly felt as it the beginning pump deteriorated into a trickle as hour over hour ticked over. I felt nothing other than a fading fascination for the machinations of the history and the organized crime exertions. I didn’t care about the spirit of the tale, simply being an extended exposition over the many years.

Scorcese’s de-aging created this weird uncanny valley between fictional versions of these actors and their known real life actualities. It also oddly felt supremely self-serving, playing into his inability to stretch himself out or bring other acting talents into the limelight; rather shoving his close compatriots into these weird slots that didn’t seem to work. A lot of money and time for what exactly?

I can’t say that this movie is bad. When I look at it, remember it, think deeply about it, I find its innate positives. This is a smart man behind the camera and talent in front of it, especially in the form of the hereto unsung Pesci. Pacino may be Pacinoing all over every scene and De Niro has trouble extending himself beyond a nasally grimace, but Pesci actually possessed ethos and presence. It does what it is trying to do, giving this treaties on a man’s aging, mob activities and the fall of Hoffa; but I do think it is all done without the requisite emotion, character and expansion past intention that is needed to be a great film. I did not like this film, but I recognize that it is not a bad film. There are elements but I don’t think it worked like it should have.