Movie Profile: THE IRISHMAN (2019)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | The Irishman (also known onscreen as I Heard You Paint Houses) |
| Release Date | November 1, 2019 (Theatrical) / November 27, 2019 (Netflix) |
| Director | Martin Scorsese |
| Writer | Steven Zaillian (Based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt) |
| Genre | Crime, Drama |
| Runtime | 209 minutes (3 hours, 29 minutes) |
| Budget | $159 million |
| Lead Cast |
• Robert De Niro (Frank Sheeran) • Al Pacino (Jimmy Hoffa) • Joe Pesci (Russell Bufalino) • Ray Romano (Bill Bufalino) |
| Major Accolades | Academy Awards (Oscars 2020): Received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (both Pacino and Pesci). |
Trailer
Plot Overview
The film is told through the memories of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), an elderly World War II veteran living in a nursing home. In the 1950s, while working as a truck driver in Philadelphia, Frank accidentally crosses paths with Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci), a calm but immensely powerful Pennsylvania mafia boss.
Frank quickly becomes a trusted associate and a dependable “hitman” (or “house painter,” mob slang for spilling blood on walls) for Russell’s crime family. Recognizing Frank’s loyalty, Russell introduces him to Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), the charismatic, fiercely ambitious leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labor union.
Frank becomes Hoffa’s close friend and personal bodyguard as Hoffa climbs to the height of his power. However, as the federal government cracks down on organized crime and Hoffa’s reckless, stubborn behavior begins to threaten the mafia’s interests, Frank is caught in a devastating moral crossfire. He is ultimately forced to choose between his absolute loyalty to Russell and his deep friendship with Hoffa, leading to the mystery surrounding Hoffa’s infamous disappearance.
