People were already buzzing about The Irishman‘s domination of the 2020 Academy Awards at this time last year. The big draw here is the combination of the directing of Martin Scorsese and the acting of greats Robert De Niro and Al Pacino (along with Joe Pesci and every other Italian actor we know and love–even funny guy Ray Romano gets in on the action). The Irishman tries to ride the coattails of 1972’s BP The Godfather: same actors, mobster story, violence, etc. But, The Godfather–and Marlon Brando as Don Corleone–is iconic cinema, and it is none too easily roped in as a “booster” to the success of another film. If you like gangster movies, you may come to love this one; but for me it is not nearly up to par with The Godfather, though promotional material keeps trying to assure us it is. The Godfather possesses those deeper themes regarding family and loyalty and ethics; and although The Irishman tries to also incorporate these ideas, it falls a bit flat. This might be because it is so, so, so long. Good grief, is it long!
Why This Film Might Win BP:
Again, the biggest thing this film has going for it is its cast, its director, and its mobster subject matter. Even though it is not as dynamic or memorable as Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, The Irishman is still the most Godfather-like film we’ve had in a long, long time; and Academy voters know that. Pesci, De Niro, and Pacino are very convincing, and together they deliver what is arguably the best performance by an ensemble cast this year. Plus, 10 nominations is nothing to sneeze at.
Why This Film Might Not Win BP:
For all the hype, The Irishman has come up pretty short at all the major awards shows so far. Despite its strong cast and popular subject matter, in my opinion, this film does not meet the expectations that were created for it. Thus, it doesn’t seem to be as good as it might be. That last sentence is about as clear as some of the plot lines and family/mobster relations featured in The Irishman…And yes, it is so, so long. Plus, its being a Netflix film and not a widely released theatrical motion picture, places The Irishman in the “controversial” category of films vying for BP. Maybe the Academy won’t opt for controversial this year.