What I am not sure The Irishman does is offer us anything new. It is so busy being everything we expect from a Scorsese film it never veers from that. First off I will clarify this isn't a bad thing. We get exactly what we would expect. It is entertaining and delivers the exact payoffs we want from this sort of film. Devotees will flip out over any suggestion Scorsese and his signature style aren't the be all and end all, but that doesn't change the fact that The Irishman feels like every Scorsese film. For what it is The Irishman delivers the goods. I'm just not as excited about these goods as I might have been at one time.
What risks and innovation Scorsese is not taking with his art, he is taking with the release of that art. The hubub around the film is centered on its streaming released on Netflix, a controversial but growing in popularity approach to distributing film, especially the sort of films we call "cinema." Sure it was one thing for Alfonso Cuaron to release an art film on Netflix, but New Hollywood's God almighty?? And Oscar baiting epic featuring expensive age defying special effects? In an age when Spielberg is deriding the changing nature of the way we consume film, Scorsese is charging right in and it is not only bold but likely smart.
In many ways Netflix is perfect for this film. The runtime might be prohibitive for a larger audience but now that we are used to binging on our own couches, a 3 hour twenty minute pulpy crime drama is easily digestible. One can rewatch moments, perhaps those which clarified certain plot points or moments which were just extremely enjoyable, or moving. Watching the film on demand at our own pace, may be the best way to experience The Irishman. It will probably reach a much larger audience than it would in a traditional theatrical run.
Cause lets face it, The Irishman isn't cutting edge cinema. Scorsese's style has moved from the emerging Hollywood revolution, to the dominant cinematic art form, to the style of the previous generation. This is not a condemnation. I know I'm going to get flack for not worshiping at the temple of Scorsese. His work is brilliant. The Irishman is the work of a master. But it is not the work of a master who is innovating and redefining what he can do. And he shouldn't have to. When you are as good as him do what you want. But as I watched it, I rarely found myself excited to be watching it, not in the way I was excited to see Goodfellas. This isn't the Scorsese who re-made Cape Fear a film which feels like he's trying to be something new, for better or worse. This is the Scorsese who does what Scorsese does best.
This is similar for De Niro and for Pacino. They are doing excellent work here, the kind of excellent work playing the kinds of characters they always do. I'm not sure these performances are going to stick out when I think about the great performances of these actors. Any actor would be praised for giving such a performance but in the repertoire of these men will it be remembered as a stand out? The film is getting quite a bit of attention right now in the moment. Will The Irishman stand out over time as a stand out or be remembered as just another strong turn from some artists with great careers?
Whether one wants to buy into this version of events of one of the most captivating mysteries of the 20th century, one can certainly see the power of the story. By the end De Niro's restrained expression of all he lost through his work is palpable. The Irishman is quality entertainment made by experts at their craft and it is available in ways that will give audiences a chance to enjoy it. Really what else do we want from a good movie?
The Irishman
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Ray Romano, Bobby Canavale, Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel, Jack Huston
Director: Marin Scorsese
Writer: Steven Zaillian
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