panos75’s review published on Letterboxd:
In a Philadelphia nursing home, Frank Sheeran recounts his life and career as mob enforcer and assassin: his first meeting with powerful boss Russell Bufalino, his acquaintance and friendship with Jimmy Hoffa, and his involvement in Hoffa's notorious "disappearance".
I won't argue with the ones who have called "The Irishman" overlong and self-indulgent, and that it could have easily been trimmed down by more than 30min. These things are true. But it doesn't change the fact that this a fucking masterpiece. I was so engrossed while watching it that not once I felt the urge to go to the bathroom or check my watch. This is vintage Scorsese delivering his best film since the underrated "Casino". An intimate epic (if that term makes sense) about a man rotten to the core, who nevertheless had his personal code of honor and violated it, only to discover later in life that it wasn't worth it. An immersive drama which has everything in it: violence, humor, pathos, betrayal, and remorse. It's the product of an artist who not only has a visible passion for the project but is also at the top of his craft. The only fault I can find is that the last half hour is considerably slower and sometimes belabors the point too much.
One of the old-fashioned pleasures the "Irishman" offers is just sitting back and watching some of the best thespians ever bouncing off each other, especially De Niro and Pacino. The two acting titans are at top form and their interactions are pure gold. The same goes for Joe Pesci, whose character is the polar opposite of the ones he played in his previous collaborations with Scorsese. Russell never raises the tone of his voice but it's pretty damn clear that he isn't a guy that's joking around. The entire supporting cast is perfect, my favorite being the always dependable Harvey Keitel as Angelo Bruno.
"The Irishman" proves definitively that even after all these years Scorsese remains the best living director, period. For all the talk about these hip and cool new kids, with their flashy, award-winning flicks, nobody can come close to his storytelling prowess, visual ingenuity, and overall feel for complicated, compelling characters. This is hands down the best film of 2019 and a full meal for cinema connoisseurs.