The Goodfellas Reboot

Marty Scorsese is one of those few directors who can get away with making a three-and-a-half hour movie.  As long as it is, "The Irishman" is never boring and the time surprisingly flies by.  When every scene is shot with as much as style as Scorsese, you don't find yourself checking the watch as much as you thought you would.

That said, "The Irishman" is one of those new breed movies that play simultaneously in theaters and on Netflix.   In this case, I would advise you watch it at home where you can at least insert the intermission of your choice.  Even watching a film with style, bladders need to be emptied and knees need to be stretched.   

Whether you see it, "The Irishman" is well worth the Oscar nominations it received.    In reality, it's one more variation on the "Goodfellas" template that Scorsese seems to be focus on in lots of his movies.   And his usual acting repertory is firmly in place with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and an amazingly subdued Joe Pesci in lead roles.

"The Irishman" tells the tale of one Frank Sheeran (DeNiro) who comes to be the top hit man of an Italian crime family run by Pesci.   Eventually, they go into business with famed union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino) and the rest of the movie sets out to give you one scenario of what ultimately happened to Hoffa.  FYI, he did not get buried in the end zone of the Meadowlands Giants Stadium as urban legend would have it.

Scorsese lays out his story meticulously and every scene gives you something or somebody (Ray Romano as a Mafia lawyer!!) to savor.  Additionally, Marty works in a welcome soundtrack of 60s and 70s music that would be on any New Jersey diner's juke box.

If there is a quibble with "The Irishman," that would be with its length.  Specifically, Scorsese seems stumped on how to end his story.  As a result, the last twenty minutes meanders around helplessly and could easily have been done in a more time efficient manner.

Nevertheless, you'll be hearing a lot about "The Irishman" come Oscar night, so check it out.   But, as I said, do it from the comfort of your living room sofa with a bathroom nearby.

LEN'S RATING:  Three stars.

Dinner last night:  Pizza at Eataly.