Taglines: His story changed history.
Now in the waning years of his life, the feeble octogenarian, Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran–a former meat driver; powerful president of Local 326 of Delaware’s Teamsters Union; ruthless racketeer, and mob hitman–finds himself confined to a wheelchair, forgotten in a nursing home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Weary but still as-silent-as-the-grave, Sheeran recounts his pivotal first murder; his ties to the notorious Bufalino crime family; the assassination of John F. Kennedy; the energetic crusade of the Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, and his alleged connection to the murder of the American labour union leader and President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Jimmy Hoffa. Now, reconciliation is the only means to salvation. What’s it like to be the last man standing?
The Irishman (titled onscreen as I Heard You Paint Houses) is a 2019 American epic crime film directed and produced by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian, based on the 2004 nonfiction 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 follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes a hitman involved with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family, including his time working for the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino).
In September 2014, following years of development hell, The Irishman was announced as Scorsese’s next film after Silence (2016). De Niro, who also served as producer, and Pacino were confirmed that month, as was Pesci, who came out of his unofficial retirement to star after numerous requests. Principal photography began in September 2017 in New York City and in the Mineola and Williston Park sections of Long Island, and wrapped in March 2018. Scenes were filmed with a custom three-camera rig to help facilitate the extensive de-aging digital effects that made De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci appear younger. With a production budget of $159–200 million and a runtime of 209 minutes, it is the most expensive and longest film of Scorsese’s career.
The Irishman premiered at the 57th New York Film Festival, and had a limited theatrical release on November 1, 2019, followed by digital streaming on Netflix starting on November 27, 2019. It received critical acclaim, with praise for Scorsese’s direction and the performances of De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci. The film received numerous accolades; at the 92nd Academy Awards, it received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for Pacino and Pesci, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Additionally, at the 77th Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for five awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, while it earned 10 nominations at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards, including Best Film.
The Irishman (2019)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Anna Paquin, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Aleksa Palladino, Jesse Plemons, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, Stephen Graham, Kathrine Narducci, Sebastian Maniscalco
Screenplay by: Steven Zaillian
Production Design by: Bob Shaw
Cinematography by: Rodrigo Prieto
Film Editing by: Thelma Schoonmaker
Costume Design by: Christopher Peterson. Sandy Powell
Set Decoration by: Regina Graves
Art Direction by: Laura Ballinger, J. Mark Harrington
Music by: Robbie Robertson
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language and strong violence.
Distributed by: Netflix
Release Date: November 1, 2019
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