The Irishman reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@Camcolito]

Next summer, look out for 'The Italian' - Starring Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, and Colm Meany.

[@callumdoherty7204]

Funniest comment I’ve seen in long time!

[@Camcolito]

@@callumdoherty7204 :)

[@kevinbermingham6072]

😂😂😂

[@samdavis8495]

What is this in reference too?

[@kevinbermingham6072]

@@samdavis8495 it's a movie called The Irishman starring a series of famous Italian-Americans hence the joke about Irish lads playing Italians.

[@jasonfitzpatrick2197]

Actually, the last third of the movie is the cherry on the cake, and it's exactly the right length. This is a film that takes enough time to tell its story. It shows the slow dissolution of the lead character, watching him get older and older, less and less capable: watching his friends die off, shunned by his family: trying to confess his sins, while not ever changing or even accepting that his entire life was a wretched bloodbath steeped in the betrayal of everyone he should have cared about. Having spent his life murdering people to provide a permanent solution to the mob's problems, but being afraid of having his remains cremated, because he hasn't achieved the self awareness or understanding that death is actually permanent, and your body doesn't matter. The fabulous layers of meaning in the final shot, of leaving the door ajar. Is he thinking of Jimmy, leaving his door open years before? Is he scared of the dark? Is hoping someone (and there's a long list of candidates, good and bad) will come and see him?

[@gerrardsilver7567]

I want to agree with you but watching them erode was hard to watch especially Pesci trying to eat the bread. To me it was a representation of the whole concept of the movie is that it was done too late. It was as if Scorsese was trying to show us that. The fact the movie was actually about the killing of JFK which was shown by the fact that Pesci chose to give deniro ring just before he whispered into his ear" if they can whack a president then they can whack a president of a union" so the viewer has to ask themselves what's the bigger story? The so called cgi which there are no KZbin videos or behind scenes footage of this being used destracts us from the real reason of using the actors.

[@MrCMHUDDY]

Joe Pesci's movie, without doubt... He dominates every scene he's in, or shares with the other two legends. It's a measured, quiet performance that is utterly mesmerizing.

[@jakefay3151]

RIght! It was so fascinating watching him play the pragmatic gangster, after years of being the mad dog. Everyone was brilliant, but Pacino stole the show for me...

[@JO-jj9fw]

Joe Pesci was an unstoppable force I loved the part when he referred to 'David Feerie' (JFK movie charactor Pesci played) brilliant movie 3 hrs plsu was nothing. Special shout to Stephen Graham for acting along the world's best actors I enjoyed watching him and of course the whole Movie. 👏🏽

[@MrCMHUDDY]

@TECHNICS TECHNICIAN He really did. That scene at Frank's party when he's calmly trying to persuade Hoffa to back down. He steals the scene and then some. Steals a scene....from Pacino!!! Really? If he doesn't get the Oscar I will lose faith.

[@sanguinefan1734]

Agree about Joe Pesci. Best thing in the film. But this could have been a great movie if Scorsese had not felt it necessary to use these great actors who are long past their prime. The de-aging software wasn't a great success though. De Niro moves like an old man wearing a mask of his younger self.

[@station2station544]

Pesci saved the movie from being a total boring flop. He definitely delivered his part in an otherwise boring film.

[@iyaramonk]

I'm just excited to see Pesci again

[@anubusx]

What do you mean funny?

[@neilmccabe1498]

Funny how?

[@anubusx]

@@neilmccabe1498 Like a clown?

[@Tails7212]

Jagoff

[@mez7736]

I'm here to amuse you?

[@TheDunateen77]

I got that 76 year old kid on the phone 😂😂😂

[@pauldapoo]

Imagine this technology was available in the 70's, there'd be no Deniro playing a young Corleone, just a digitalized Brando.

[@pauldapoo]

@André Antunes Agreed, I was just trying to point out that this type of technology stops younger actors from getting roles that might boost their career. Deniro won an academy award for that role.

[@pauldapoo]

@Ford Torino hahaha oops thanx

[@pauldapoo]

@Ford Torino all good 😃, I'm happy to be corrected. Sad thing is I own the Blu-ray box set of the Godfather, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. Should've known better lol

[@burlhorse61]

@André Antunes he was amazing just the same though.what an amazing actor

[@siwakeman1266]

De Niro also won a Oscar for the godfather part 2. As well as raging bull,I Believe him and Brando are the only actors to have both won oscars for playing the same role. Although not sure if that has been equalled now, a lot of actors,actresses have won oscars for playing biopic /real life people. I’d have to check.

[@justinmj6586]

Loved the film but DeNiro nevered seemed younger than 70 for even a moment.

[@Daniel-yo5es]

exactly... none of them did.

[@bennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

I think it would've been distracting had they tried to make him look younger than they already did.. they didn't overdo the cgi which I'm grateful for

[@FigmentHF]

It just didn’t matter to me, I just got swept along with the characters and interactions

[@jackfewtrell1073]

I could buy he was about 50 when he was meant to be like 30 fixing his truck

[@DDPK]

@alieninsurgent that scene doesnt define a film please stfu

[@adamsmart1075]

Funny to think that in the 80s, Robert De Niro was aged up with makeup to look like an old man for parts of Once Upon a Time in America (probably one of the best films I've ever seen in my life) and now he's been de-aged by CGI to look like a young man for parts of this film.

[@darrylschultz6479]

They did the movies in the wrong order.

[@anthonyhamilton6185]

He did not look young in any part of this film. It was awful

[@Bungadin639]

OUATIA was a far superior film to The Irishman.

[@Charzhino]

Agree with Kermode on Anna Paquins role. Her silent judgement is very powerful and the only thing that really weighs heavy on De Niro till the end. Its a character he cannot try to verbally or physically persuade like hes so used to and that eats him up inside.

[@funkymonk2893]

totally agree with you.

[@steveothehulk]

I only really noticed the deaging when it cuts to deniro driving the truck after that I didn’t really notice it

[@themysteriouscatperson9483]

Same for me, it was really the bright blue eyes for me, apart from that I laughed at the grocery scene like everyone else, and enjoyed the move very much

[@RUAVAG]

Its not so much the cgi that is distracting. Its the fake blue eyes, they looked like cats eyes at one point.

[@JO-jj9fw]

Reminded me of Angel Heart near the ending.

[@philm94]

The combination of the super-fake blue eyes, and the oldman body/young face, made DeNiro's character appear like he's meant to be supernatural.

[@JO-jj9fw]

Ok maybe the eyes but I didn't get any supernatural vibe Only Robert Dr Not I could play this part so I'm ok with the cgi. At least I was warming to that but Justice League Superman's cgi upper lip was 😱😱😱😱😱

[@MGE0007]

...dead cat eyes btw....

[@MGE0007]

@Verify Controversy ...but you had to view it MULTIPLE TIMES so that the creepy CGI did not distract you.......(at the end), suggesting it did distract you...

[@norm3844]

I heard you review movies...

[@Ránshāo47]

he does his own podcastin too...

[@stephanrussell5302]

Very witty 😂😂😂

[@tellmewhatyousawreviews]

I see what you did there....

[@ernestolombardo5811]

Gotta take the bait and finish it: ...so I put a movie in your movie so you can review while you review.

[@garyg8540]

Yes. Yes, sir, I do. I do. And I, uh, I also do my own carpentry.

[@stantastic4866]

The thing is we know what De Niro and Pesci looked like when they were in their thirties/forties and they didn't look like they do in this film.

[@s1050]

Anna Paquin was brilliant in this and Mark hits the nail on the head. Her presence alone had gravitas. Anyone criticising the movie for how many lines she gets is an utter idiot. De Niro was back to his best, Pesci was remarkable and Pacino had energy he hasn’t had since 1995. I thought the cgi worked well, just as Mark said, like a video game cutscene but not distracting at all. Overall I loved the film, not as iconic as Goodfellas but still a beautiful piece.

[@lordofthejungle]

Pesci was sublime. Sublime. One of the best performances of this century I'd say. Also Paquin's character had arguably the most power out of her and the three main male characters in the movie. How anyone says her lack of lines was a disservice is beyond me.

[@garad123456]

Yeah, I think the point was to tell the story from Frank's perspective, and how he only starts to realize how distant father he was, when his daughters dont talk to him. It's like he's completely foreign to them and all they know that he did some horrible things. And he says he was protecting them but they didn't feel like they had protection, they couldnt go to him with any problems because he would ask further questions, he would hurt the people and that was too much.

[@jamma246]

Here's how you know that Paquin's character was vital: imagine the film without her role. Her silence really cuts through the narrative in the same way that you could see it, occasionally, cutting through to Frank (also in his silence). It reminds you of the horrors of what these people were involved with and the lives they destroyed, as well as the fact that these women didn't really have much of a say about it. It would still have been a good film without her character, but it would have lost a lot of emotional depth.

[@ResevoirGod]

@@lordofthejungle one of the performances of the century? Don't be ridiculous. It was a good performance yes but it's not even Pesci's best work.

[@lordofthejungle]

gggjmmm I didn’t say it was Pesci’s best work and the century is young. How about toning down the aggression there champ.

[@BluRayMan12]

My local independent cinema has just started getting Netflix films this week with The King (just went along to the first screening.) Even as a 4K Netflix subscriber nothing beets the big screen with no distractions (and supporting a local business that’s been under threat of closure twice in the past 10 years. I’m super excited to see this two weeks early next Friday (although I’m little bit nervous about the run time without an interval.)

[@Andreytsvetkov33]

The King is great ! I don't get the hate

[@animaginaryboy2]

I so wish this was getting a wider cinema release than it's getting - I'd love to see it on the big screen!

[@Blackhawk211]

@@DrOz-007 you utter fool. the reason that this isnt in cinemas is precisley because of theme park blocbusters like avengers. Studios know they wont make money on this in theaters because only balls deep cinephiles like us will see it.

[@seanwallaceseanie40]

Simon Osborne sign up for free month

[@siena88]

Indeed! B***** Netflix

[@Jimmy-es8bc]

​@@DrOz-007 I've never seen a more ill-informed, misguided, nonsensical argument in my life. But that's KZbin comments for you.

[@colinsushiboy745]

No need for Netflix. Just look around and you'll find HD movies free.

[@andrewpride5230]

Worries about the deaging process? Forget about it

[@kayzar293]

Little bit, little bit

[@SuperMovieLvr933]

@@kayzar293 After watching it, it's so irrelevant to the entire movie. You wind up just accepting it like you'd accept makeup in any other film.

[@chrisebert7989]

thought young Deniro looked cartoonish

[@gagrin1565]

Bada bing bada boom.

[@ColombianThunder]

@@chrisebert7989 disagree. It looked pretty good compared to other movies and i eventually forgot he was de-aged

[@christyrrell771]

He waffles on for ages without telling us if the film is any good!

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

He didn't summarise his thoughts, but it's very clear he enjoyed it a lot. Touched on many parts that stood out to him

[@RK-ls7fx]

Talk about a non review. Am a fan of Mark's reviews but this was pointless. The thematic aspects of the film are barely discussed. He actually starts talking about the film's merits in the last 30 seconds. Spent 6 minutes talking about the de-aging technique. Was looking forward to hearing Mark's thoughts on the film. Shame.

[@themardybum08]

This is Kermode's problem. He's entertaining to listen about films but you have no idea about the film itself!

[@alexanderjones8926]

I agree. I was so attentive to the plot and acting that I honestly didn't spend any time contemplating how good the facial de-aging was. I find it bizarre how someone as trivial as body movement can't affect your enjoyment of the film. Like who cares really

[@olivergorman3419]

Be good if his reviews were CGI'd to remove all the semaphore.

[@zafmo9829]

Because its a boring film. Nobody seems to want to admit it was boring. I love martin, goodfellas is my favourite film EVER, but this film was wack.

[@zafmo9829]

@@TT-mx5ll the film was boring after Hoffa character entered.

[@kennygordon7505]

This review doesn’t really get to the bottom of whether The Irishman is a good film or not.

[@Tr33fiddy]

Classic Kermode

[@christdaviesfilms]

Scorsese, De Niro, Pesci & Pacino. Crime drama, gangster epic. Yes, this film is going to be good.

[@lordofthejungle]

Saw it in the cinema on Wednesday and I think what he touched on when talking about its suitability for netflix is how It's quite episodic in storytelling form and some of those episodes are far stronger than others. However it isn't an uneven experience so it's overall quite strong. My assbone hurt after it though.

[@hotstixx]

@@charlesknowlton7198 Cinephiles are the least qualified to reveiw films.They love the cinema experience,the larger than life images being projected into their "Non-ideological" brains.They are kind of discerning fetishists who don`t discriminate.. and i`m fairly sure i`ve seen one or 2 on monday afternoon showings fondling themselves pre the big show.

[@chrisebert7989]

it wasn't good, looooonnnnng, slow....felt at times like a goodfellas reboot....Nicholson/Devito Hoffa much more entertaining.....too bad cause the book was great....

[@rohanrr31]

Having watched this 3hr+ epic the 4th time, I realized I was immersed in the narration and timelines the entire time. Its slow paced and long yes! But it takes you on a deeply personal journey into the world of crime and makes you question the very concept of morality, all with a mostly light hearted tone. A true masterpiece by the King of Crime Dramas

[@aryankaushik93]

I agree

[@FigmentHF]

The de-ageing was noticeable for a couple of minutes, and then I completely forgot and enjoyed the story and performances

[@tycobb2580]

IDK if I'm on-board with the de-aging technology because De Niro always looked a lot older than his character

[@littlebrayutd]

He walked like a 90 year old with 60 year old face weird looking OK film

[@HeisenBird]

Fun fact. The Mafia boss Russel Bufalino (played by Joe Pesci) was the real-life inspiration for Don Corleone in The Godfather.

[@domenicomalara3118]

The real life inspiration of Don corleone was Frank Costello

[@starwarsroo2448]

Bufalino how?

[@willmosse3684]

Maybe, but that gets said about a lot of mob bosses. Usually Joe Bonanno and/or Carlo Gambino.

[@mikenavis2745]

@@domenicomalara3118 YES!!! you are correct sir.

[@starwarsroo2448]

Didnt he consult Coppola about The Godfather though?

[@Plathismo]

This movie isn't a minute too long, IMO. That last 20 minutes or so is like the exquisite final act of 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.' It brings it all home emotionally.

[@lazyartiste_2357]

Amen.

[@norm3844]

That housework euphemism is ripe for an SNL sketch......"I heard you paint houses", "Yes sir, I also do my own carpentry", "What about resurfacing, maybe some ceramic tiles", "Is this the right number?"

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

😏

[@lescorlett4133]

My girlfriend said we can't have sex tonight as she's got the decorators in. I didn't know she was on about a hit man.

[@pamelaatkinsonscats2873]

Les Corlett You made me guffaw! Your girlfriend is a hoot and no mistake! 😹

[@paulheap1982]

@@lescorlett4133 well there is blood involved. lol

[@theedbaron7984]

@@lescorlett4133 - Be careful, she may have hired Keith Vaz's 'interior decorators'

[@pardeepparkash398]

Saw it last night at the Leeds Film Festival. Very watchable, not a boring moment. Class acting and three hours flew by. Got to be watched in the cinema !

[@willmosse3684]

A good and thoughtful movie, very different in tone and tempo to Scorsese’s previous gangster flicks. I did think the de-aging didn’t quite work though. DeNiro in particular - who is supposed to be a very physically formidable character - moved obviously like an old man all the way through (for instance one scene where he had to throw something was almost laughable). And the faces did have a slightly unnatural caste to them. Having said that, and though I definitely wouldn’t want this to become the standard production technique, for this one movie I was able to put that to one side and become engrossed in a beautifully told tale. One of the main themes of this movie is the fact of ageing; time moves on, we get old, and all the things we did fade into history. So having these old guys play it out, and to be able to see their old selves inside their young selves, is in some ways quite poignant.

[@irish66]

What about DE Niro's performance? Personally I thought it was one of his greatest. The final sequence in the home showed for me how great an actor he still can be.

[@Uncommon_Senze]

Better that Dirty Grandpa...!?

[@irish66]

@@Uncommon_Senze Well I wouldn't go that far.

[@lewisj2023]

I totally agree de Niro (frank) was my favourite character in the movie and of course pesci (buffalino) was superb too one of my favourite films I’ve watched if not my favourite

[@notreallydavid]

'I'm gonna make him a Hoffa he can't refuse.'

[@alansmith4655]

Drink every time Kermode says incidentally.

[@siena88]

Or: I confess

[@kenrehill8775]

Shitfaced in five minutes

[@zeramoke]

Used to be 'interesting enough'

[@RobotPorter]

What about every time he adds a clause before finishing a thought?

[@masao398]

drink every time mayo gets screentime, youll be a monk in a few weeks

[@Texus8]

"What kind of man makes a phone call like that..." Chills when De Niro says that line! Movie's a masterpiece in my book, and has one of my favorite De Niro performances. Similar to Jackie Brown in how understated yet nuanced it was, just brilliant stuff.

[@Texus8]

@Andy Fletcher Really, not just bad but shockingly so, what makes you say that?

[@themysteriouscatperson9483]

I love this movie, and old Frank Sheeran has some of the most introspective lines

[@robertthomas2601]

If anyone can find a review that isnt entirely about the deaging technology please leave a link.

[@thomasgrieve1924]

Why wouldn't they mention it?

[@jadchahhal1748]

Thank you. The movie is so much more than the deaging process. It's truly a masterpiece.

[@Jordannadroj20]

It's immensely distracting. It detracts from the entire experience.

[@robertthomas2601]

@@Jordannadroj20 Not for me it didn't. Kind of funny at moments but didn't ruin the performances or story one bit.

[@widM_]

Bravo Mark. You totally understand the Anna Paquin character. Critics complained how she doesn't have enough dialogue and screen time. That's the whole point!

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

I can't wait to see it both at Cinema and at home too!!! 😎 What an Age we live in!!! 🙄

[@charlieburrows7490]

J K only if u live near an “Everyman cinema” mate.. as they’ve all boycotted it due to it being released Netflix in two weeks.. can’t say I blame cinemas.. 3.5 hour film tying up screens when most people will see it at home. Shame it’s not released properly though.

[@tonyabrookes9931]

The de-aging totally took me out. They move and speak like old men. There's no way around it

[@MikeBroderick33]

Pesci was great. Stephen Graham is a star. The Anzio scene upset me because my Italian-American Great Uncle fought there against the Nazis and his sister/my Grandmother hated the mob (and presumably mob movies) for giving a bad reputation to Italian-Americans. (It's a shame that Scorsese never makes a film about a good Italian-Americaan family.) I'm glad it's on Netflix, because I watched it over 3 sittings.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I was hoping this was about Frank Carson.

[@AlphaPapa69]

ChubbyChecker182 Said no one ever

[@bigunclegskunkxxl9173]

I thought it was about Roy walker

[@ChubbyChecker182]

@@bigunclegskunkxxl9173 say what ya see

[@didinx8417]

Oh very droll.

[@LUFC123]

@@ChubbyChecker182 It's good but it's not right

[@DonJoeBob]

THIS is why Mark Kermode will always have my attention. He nailed all of the talking points about the film and explained them exceptionally. I don't always agree with Mark but that's not the point, the man knows film and he knows how to communicate what he knows in a review. I really liked the film and agree completely with Mark here, the de-aging is just a modern take on makeup and not all characters need lines to convey what the character is feeling.

[@tomhulme1176]

I picked up on the grocery scene it wasnt natural seemed forced.

[@W.R.D-Gaming]

Yea he had the old man shakey hand thing going on, amazed they didn't go for another take

[@JO-jj9fw]

Yeah but I wouldnt want Robert De Niro stomping on my hand at any age. 🤪

[@zafmo9829]

i couldnt believe it when i saw that. I think everybody was too scared to tell him on set that he was shaking.

[@davidlewis1787]

I think it was extremely realistic.. adrenaline makes you shake like hell, and no one has a real fight choreographed, I’ve seen real fights where people are clumsy and rubbish and hurt each other badly

[@rhidiandavies1991]

Surprised that no one's mentioned the scene where deniro beats up the shop owner. I found it hilarious because you've got this young, albeit waxy looking face plastered onto a body that's moving like it's 70 years old - which of course it is. I couldn't stop laughing because rather than looking like someone being brutally beaten up, it looked like my grandfather trying to stamp on an acrobatic cockroach.

[@brianhueber3683]

He did

[@paulpritchard1998]

Hilarious, Geriatric beating.

[@paulpritchard1998]

It looked like Joe Biden trying not to fall off the curb. 😂

[@rayaudelo1024]

Another masterpiece by Scorsese ! I wish the screen writer Steven Zaillian did some interviews on the film. The writing is really good.

[@evciachic]

It wasnt that the deaging didnt work, its that deniro looked like he was 50 years old when he should have been 37 at the time of meeting hoffa. And at no point did his body move like a 30 something. He moved like an older man. i never was able to buy into the idea that he was a father of young kids. He also looked too old to be a guy learning the ropes.

[@jasonmartell4022]

evvkaz I 100 % agree you hit the nail on the head.the story and acting were great but it was a very geriatric young man.

[@davehoward22]

It looked like him in a dark wig

[@secret7jhkjhjkhkjh747]

Didnt even think about him not being 37. Harder for me to believe this guy wasn't anything other than a psychopath. His empathy for Hoffa was harder for me to believe.

[@GeeVanderplas]

Haven't seen it yet, but in this clip I think they mainly sound very old. But then you might get used to it when watching the film.

[@tonyabrookes9931]

@@GeeVanderplas unfortunately, I couldn't

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Pacino finally gets to work with Scorsese. That is worth the price alone. I suspect like a lot of Scorsese’s recent work(The Departed, Wolf of Wall Street, Gangs of New York and The Silence) - it’s perhaps overlong, and could do with losing about 30 minutes or more. Anyway, it does look intriguing.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

I would agree with Gangs of New York but Silence I thought needed that length.

[@calvinlaw7790]

Pacino is brilliant in it

[@leesullivan4112]

Don't like the length don't watch it simple as that.

[@Paul-qe1jn]

Ask the theaters to keep a short interval at the 1 hr 30 mins mark.

[@petergreen2552]

Great film. Some scenes did tend to slightly drag, mostly the Hoffa ones. Nevertheless, brilliant to see DeNiro,Pesci,Keitel and Pacino all in the same movie. Cherish it as this will be the only time it ever happens.

[@mikenavis2745]

a big reason on why this movie works is because of Scorsese's special weapon. And what is this special weapon? The same one he uses for everyone of his movies and that weapon is Thelma Schoonmaker. I wish more people would mention her when reviewing The Irishman, she's one of the greatest cutters of all time.

[@jamma246]

He gives her great praise in his review in The Observer. Unfortunately not enough time in this review, for this and other things, especially given that they spent too long talking about the de-ageing technology.

[@Decline-America_Is_In_Trouble]

Just saw the picture today in Chicago. God damn beauty. A- Can’t wait to rewatch this masterpiece

[@MartinHomeVideo]

Not only Pesci, but everyone involved- phenomenal performances. I am not big fan of Al Pacino, can’t name a movie I seen him in, but only realised midway here it’s him. Effects were really smooth and great storytelling despite several timelines it never felt confusing. Little trick with no background music in culmination scene created nerve wrecking atmosphere. Loved it.

[@davidjones272]

You never saw the godfather?

[@MartinHomeVideo]

@@davidjones272 nope

[@paulkeay5032]

the de-aged Robert De Niro reminded me of Arthur Mullard when he did "You're the one that I want"

[@adambrown209]

As someone who watched this film not knowing anything about it, I didn't even realise that there was any de-aging. I just assumed they had done a great job on the makeup when I saw a younger version of the different actors. Mark is spot on in saying that if you don't know about it and try to scrutinise every detail, it's very well done.

[@timfronimos459]

Al Pacino looked nothing like Jimmy Hoffa but he did a great job.

[@JO-jj9fw]

Jack Nicholson resembled Hoffa. But 🤔 Jim Hoffa's hair style reminds me of someone. Can't think who...oh yes that man beginning with K. Black I'm only comparing hairstyles. 😗

[@ibnmianal-buna3176]

Just saw it today at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre, the only one showing it in the GTA I think, it was a very fast paced movie, but it incorporated a growing feeling of sadness and emptiness as the story unfolded. It was absolutely amazing, maybe Scorsese’s best film of the past 20 years (and that’s saying a lot). Unlike Goodfellas, Casino, and Wolf of Wall Street, this movie really lets the depressing consequences of the main characters’ actions sink in. There’s a great somber and reflective nature to it. The 3 other movies had a different, more upbeat, and straight-forward biopic approach.

[@juan355]

In the still of the night has been stuck in my head since seeing it at my local art house theater. What a great film.

[@Retrostar619]

Yeah, the grocery store scene was the only time De Niro's character moved like an old man, and that's because it was a physical altercation.

[@krisjooganah3253]

I wish the cinemas would have an intermission break. A film over 3 hours, would give the audience to have a break. This happens in theatres!

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

I actually found the time went by very well, and I'm glad I experienced it in one go

[@han5234]

DeNiro's unnaturally blue eyes were way, way, WAY more distracting to me than the CGI. I was constantly aware of them for the entire movie.

[@davidcopson5800]

I bet you didn't see that coming.

[@StephenGraves]

It's a little baffling that they didn't simply use the well-established technology of body doubles and face-replacement for some of those wide shots/action scenes. It's really jarring when you see De Niro moving like an old man when he's got the face of a 30something.

[@tetsuoshima7385]

Yeah, the greengrocers scene was a bit cringe for that reason

[@davidpowderly9117]

About a character not having many lines, J.K. Simmons in "I'm Not Here" was completely silent and gave a hugely powerful performance.

[@nasskhan4543]

Didnt do Charlie Chaplain any harm either.

[@TrequartistaFM]

Joaquin in you were never really here hardly speaks and is brilliant

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

The visual effects did work overall, but we all know what DeNiro looked like in his 40's and he didn't look like that. But that's OK, because this isn't a movie about DeNiro.

[@Alllvii]

I love this movie. It is one of my favorite mob movies and i too will admit that at some point in the movie i just simply forgot about the tech they used on the actors faces.

[@gideonjones1679]

Just has the chance to see it in the cinema, Scorsese’s best film since Good Fellas imo. Length and the de-ageing wasn’t an issue for me. Don’t think it’s out of order to call it a masterpiece.

[@ianculley-morgan3623]

You are correct to call it a masterpiece

[@lukeskywalker6908]

I feel like maybe 10 minutes could have been chopped off a near the end but it was a great movie.

[@ibnmianal-buna3176]

The de-aging FX were outstanding. I never noticed any weird-looking shots where they could possibly look like video-game characters. It was pretty seamless for me.

[@danielgreen2538]

@@ibnmianal-buna3176 the only part that looked a little dodgy was the WW2 scene but that was only a tiny scene. For the rest of the film I was paying attention to their faces and they didnt look out of place at all it was amazing.

[@MrPauljayburke]

Mark looking like he is in physical pain listening to that video game allegory kills me 😂

[@Jordannadroj20]

It's a perfectly valid criticism from child 1 lol

[@Elizabeth-bz2mi]

Speaking of actors playing very different ages in a single film: I think Robert De Niro did an impressive job of it in "Sleepers" (1996). At the beginning he was (I guess) in his 20s, and later he's meant to be some 15 or so years older, and he really moved, and held his body and everything, like an older man. Anyway, I remember being fascinated at the time.

[@davidhaswell5789]

Once upon a time in America. The make for de niro was awesome

[@JohnDoe-vz7bn]

Elizabeth a young man can play an old man quite easily the other way around is almost impossible

[@Elizabeth-bz2mi]

@@JohnDoe-vz7bn I take your point - but "quite easily"? It still takes a pretty good actor to do it well, I would think. :)

[@Mr.A_LDN]

I saw it yesterday and thought the performances were brilliant but the length of the movie is definitely a challenge. This would be a great movie to bring back the old intermission. I'm wondering if Netflix will show it in full or have it as 7 x 3O mins episodes-It feels quite episodic what with the different eras etc. But yes,performances brilliant...Pacino being maximum Pacino,Great to see Joe Pesci again (in one of his calmer mafia roles) and DeNiro in the movies that he excels in. I'm not sure it's quite up there with Goodfellas for me but it's solid-Maybe it would be closer with a bit of an edit?

[@NxDoyle]

A long time to discuss a tech feature that was largely unobtrusive.

[@thomasrowley6643]

I know! Haha

[@angusparker6923]

Pre-release people made it seem like it was going to be a MASSIVE part of the movie when in reality I barely even noticed it when it was on and characters probably spent more time in conventional de-ageing and ageing makeup than digitally altered. Incidentally I saw the film in cinemas with my brother who didn’t know about the VFX de-ageing beforehand and he was surprised when I told him they had used it.

[@Daniel-yo5es]

it wasn't though.. it ruined the illusion many times for me.

[@philm94]

I stopped watching before half way because it was so obtrusive, totally agree with Mayo on this one.

[@statcous]

People who don't know about the de-aging thing don't even notice it. Watched it with my parents, neither noticed. It's just those who did beforehand that get all fussy about it.

[@johngalantini6910]

The scene outside the grocery store!! Exactly what i was thinking when he raised the topic of the deaging.

[@lordofthejungle]

It's really the only bad one though. He leveraged his age for a lumbering presence a fair bit and that worked well.

[@Acehood-pg1zs]

Yeah defo stood out for me there. His movements were old yet his face was young.

[@frontleftfender]

I hate the deaging thing, it means when im 100 ill still be getting dragged to see paul rudd a rom com looking 30

[@cjhepburn7406]

I doubt it. Maybe Ant-Man 5...

[@davehoward22]

Didnt think it looked that convincing myself

[@cjhepburn7406]

Whipped

[@FirstnameLastname-nd9wx]

paul rudd won't need deaging to still look 30

[@cjhepburn7406]

@@FirstnameLastname-nd9wx Sounds like u luuurrve him, u wanna kiss him...

[@hudsonsirheshicks2653]

All I gained from this was de-aging acceptance. Er, so did you like the film Mr Kermode?

[@ianculley-morgan3623]

Yeah not a great review

[@paultreneary]

Mark does his 'De Niro' impression at 5:00

[@pinakpanikashyap6736]

If "Anna Paquin does not have enough lines" is the key takeaway, I feel sorry for them.

[@mansnotbot4160]

Couldn't they just have got younger actors to play the elads. Y'know, like they did in Goodfellas...

[@burlhorse61]

well its up to the director

[@totallybored5526]

And age them up to 80?

[@BigBeeBeeSting]

Anna Paquin's silence is crucial to the last half hour, which by the way is the summation of the characters understanding of consequences.

[@badder27com]

Kermode if it wasnt for moviedrome well I would be a heathen your are a legend I always pay attention to your reviews agree or disagree I value your opinion in film always moviedrome seems like such a long time ago but it was because of that for so many films.thank you.

[@philvischannel8001]

Moviedrome was hosted by Alex Cox and then Mark Cousins, not Kermode. But what you're right about one thing; it was a brilliant program and introduced me to so many great films.

[@TheDunateen77]

The digital de-aging was great apart from them deniro having blue eyes,it was unnecessary as lots of Irish people have dark eyes anyway,they didn't even look like decent contacts they just looked fake,that said it was a pretty good film

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

Anyone sat through “The Irishman”? Unpopular opinion: This was a bloated self indulgent blunder. He should have hired a talented group of younger Italian American actors to play Pacino, Deniro, Pesci et al in the flashback scenes and we may have had another Scorsese masterpiece. this is what happens when a group of friends with legendary careers in their 70s have no one to tell them the truth about a bad idea, and they lose the plot of their gritty realist roots. Imagine if instead of Deniro’s legendary performance in Godfather 2 we had, with a much older man body shape, Brando in a wig and occasionally non distracting digital make up... film history will see this not as a glorious swan song for this remarkable group of guys, but as the final sign they should just stop now.

[@Brendissimo1]

Basically agree with Mayo on this one - the CGI de-aging was a constant distraction throughout the movie. Totally agree with Kermode about Anna Paquin though. In this particular role the entire point was the distance in their relationship.

[@RohitKumar-gd8vu]

*You can't de age movement*

[@ktcool4660]

They had body doubles.

[@thejon93rd]

The runtime is (by far) the biggest problem I had with this film. Saw this in theaters on Sunday with a friend and, while he loved it and thought it flew by, I found it to be extremely long in the tooth. I definitely thought it was a great and truly epic movie, a solid 8 out of 10 from me, but I wish I wasn't so bored by it (especially as it moved towards the end). Joe Pesci stole the show here and I kind of forgot how much I loved him as an actor, so I'm glad that Scorsese was able to bring him back for one more classic. I don't think I'll ever consider this film to be a "classic", but I do understand why most critics are saying it is. 3 1/2 hours though? I can see why they're only doing a limited theatrical run for this because I foresee most viewers pausing it about halfway through for an intermission (something that I wish the theater I saw it in had).

[@quentinnewark2745]

Jonathan Abbott agreed totally, I watched at home and as I started to get bored, almost exactly halfway - I paused it and watched the rest with fresh energy and pleasure 24 hours later. It benefits hugely from a day-long intermission.

[@jesus3373]

If someone's favourite film is The Exorcist I listen to them.

[@loiracitr]

Sure the scene outside the grocery store is the one when you mostly notice that the body is an old guy body. But I honestly noted that the protagonist walks like an old man for most of the movie, it is a very distinctive walk... And I think that this is not great when you describe a dramatic story, but if you talk about young fellas that work in a violent environment it is quiet a big deal, nobody would be scared of a young kid with a heavy slow walk

[@GiantSandles]

It was probably slightly too long but still by a mile the best film he's done since The Departed

[@GiantSandles]

@Funk O'Matic I thought WoWS was an hour too long so yes

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Wolf was fantastic, and so was Hugo (and that was great in 3D, along with Gravity the best two movies from that recent 3d era)

[@Serpico1122]

I liked it a lot more than the departed. The departed was a bad best picture movie.

[@simonchristian5227]

Departed was fantastic. Although I don’t think they should have cast Dicaprio and Damon together.. I’m not a fan of dicaprio.. maybe why I couldn’t get on with wolf of wolf street and gangs of NY. Is there an intermission for the Irishman??

[@GiantSandles]

@@simonchristian5227 No

[@XboxHumor]

Really loved it. Got to see it in a great theater (LA local), and god was it worth it. Scorsese still has it. Think some people will have quibbles with the last 30/40, but it's pure meditative Scorsese, and I couldn't love it more. Excited for more to see this once it's on Netflix, even though it deserves month(s) of running in theaters.

[@niallmartin9063]

Just seen it here in Dublin, elegiac, shakespearean, epically tragic. Brilliant.

[@shanebrennan8250]

That last half hour was the best part for me.

[@ianculley-morgan3623]

If you have a problem with the final act you don't get it

[@steveskipper6473]

I got my hopes up around 6:40 that the actual review was about to start but imagine my disappointment when it quickly tailed off with a ramble about Anna Paquin.

[@goodyeoman4534]

token nod to the left

[@hand587]

To be honest, I didn't notice the digital de-ageing whatsoever. I knew before that they did it, but I didn't think about it most of the time and occasionally when I looked for it I couldn't notice anything

[@meowpacino21692]

Spoiler alert: Action Bronson makes an appearance

[@GuyOnTheInternet53]

Agreed it took me out when i saw him, idk why they randomly put him in

[@samuelward1148]

Mayo coming with a pretty excellent analogy about the digital de-ageing and video game cutscenes... That was quite whip smart.

[@marcdellorusso180]

Simon watched the movie with "child 1".

[@ARTByJAMESPATRICK]

I watched this on Netflix on my iPad (I know not best way) and couldn’t notice any of the tech- amazing.. but I imagine on the big screen the deaging is much more noticeable . Either way: loved it!

[@simonperry8569]

You watched a Scorsese epic on an iPad? Jesus wept.

[@ilikespacedinosaurs]

man at least watch it on a good laptop

[@ARTByJAMESPATRICK]

Thinking to go again in cinema if I can make it before the run is over

[@fedupnow61859]

I have to say that after 2 hours I had to stop watching. I preface this by saying I just love Scorsese and all the other wonderful films that he made. I just cant get it through my head with De Niro being an old man and having the CGI try to make it look like he is in his late 30's to early 40's. It just killed it for me. So unbelievable. They should have used younger actors for the early parts. It would have made it so much better.

[@W.R.D-Gaming]

I think the problem with the cgi deaging is that while it can iron out wrinkles it can't actually change the shape of the actors face. Watch De Niro in the early 90s and his face is a different shape than it is now and I think that may be part of the problem

[@calvancandy8384]

I seen it last night I didn’t think it was great to be honest. I thought it would be a lot better - the last hour is good but the first two move very slow. De Niro is very good but I was disappointed with the film and I’m a big Scorsese fan.

[@eddysandland58]

Same Here!!! I know I'm knittpicking? When De Niro use's a gun, it looks FAKE & the kick back IS over the top!!! Disappointed!!!

[@calvancandy8384]

@@eddysandland58 yes and when he stamps on the shop owners hand it looks like he's about to fall - it looked so fake and I'm very suprised Scorcese left this in it looked awful!!

[@eddysandland58]

@@calvancandy8384 , Also when He kick's or punches, it makes a thud noise (which Sounds Cheap) & your right about the stamp!!! De Niro's face looks young, but His body looks like a 75 yr old!!! Everyone is saying this IS up there as a Scorcesse Classic!!! Not For Me!!!

[@calvancandy8384]

@@MrMilo2000 Yes very unfortunate, I really wanted it to be a masterpiece

[@1commentking]

The de aging was not a problem in how it looked, it was a problem in how deniro moved. When he beat anyone up he had no physicality or presence or threat. It just looked totally unconvincing. Deniro as an enforcer was a complete wiff and it destroyed the film.

[@KphexTwin00]

Just after watching it. Loved it, too short though.

[@mrpeech1]

Agree with some of the points here was ridiculously jarring to hear Pesci refer to De Niro as a kid when he looks like a 50 year old man with a billy cap. The CGI is better for Pesci than for De Niro but it's still not great for me.

[@theelvisguru9490]

I can’t stay the way Mark Kermode pauses for breath and smacks his lips every few minutes as if he is about to say something profound- which he never does.

[@hyllaf]

Mark k - sorry 4 taking a breath Mike k

[@cjhepburn7406]

Lol!

[@jamesdrynan]

Aside from the critiques of the actors' characterizations and the de-aging discussion, the film is successful in its storytelling. Kudos again to Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese's go-to editor, for her skill in making over 200 minutes seem like less than 90. As a fictional screenplay, it unfolds in retrospective form quite well, however; it is fiction, nonetheless. Mr. De Niro himself, when questioned on the validity of certain historical points in the film, said he simply thought it was a good read. All of the actors display the chops we've come to admire and respect of them but my favorite scene was when De Niro left the meeting where Pacino was ranting on. The back and forth between these two titans about " Where're ya going?" was deliciously done.

[@gonzalopriale3293]

Mark looks like a mobster from a Scorsese movie😊

[@claresamways9534]

Joe P is the best in the film, just my opinion. The "Youth-ification" got on my nerves quite frankly. De Niro's stooped posture detracted from the air-brush face and the same for Pacino.

[@bazzoman510]

I Went to see it today and I hate to say that I was majorly disappointed. It’s far too long and became tedious. I was actually bored and I can’t say that I’ve been bored in many Scorsese movies. De Niro was weak, still phoning in the same performance he’s been doing for the last ten years. Pesci was good and Pacino saved it from dare I say it, being boring. It didn’t need to try to be so epic. It would of been better, I feel, if it was bit more grounded, a Donnie Brasco type of feel.

[@JonnyOrr]

Just out of a screening of the Irishman and honestly wasn’t a fan. It should have been 1.5 hours shorter. There are some great bits in it but overall I found it boring. Stephen Graham is highlight as he always is. The de-ageing is incredible. Not one moment in the film where it bothered me, in fact I was mesmerised by how perfect it was.