Scorsese’s Underrated Gangster Gem: A Love Letter to His Career and Cast

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Martin Scorsese’s illustrious filmmaking journey encompasses diverse stages as a creative visionary and narrator. Similar to many directors, he initially sought to express his unique perspective, creating deeply personal films that mirrored his beliefs, religion, and upbringing. This paved the way for him to produce genre movies and powerful dramas, solidifying his status as one of cinema’s greatest innovators. However, it is a specific genre where Martin Scorsese left an indelible mark, and he did so not just once but numerous times. The gangster genre, which emerged in the early 1930s as a cornerstone of classic Hollywood success, continued to produce titles for subsequent decades. Post-1968, the genre underwent several transformations; however, it experienced a substantial shift under Scorsese’s influence.

Instead of being less prevalent, they were more balanced and less sensational. They blended with various genres and stood out as exceptional dramas, comedies, and thrillers reflecting the New Hollywood style pioneered by young directors. Martin Scorsese was one such director who laid the groundwork for what new gangster films could become. The films became more innovative, more authentic, and as a result, were heavily influenced by the ’70s. Gangster movies remained an older genre that was not being produced frequently. When they were made, it wasn’t quite the same approach. However, this transformation proved beneficial for the genre, and Scorsese discovered unique ways to narrate gangster tales throughout his career. His final gangster film pays tribute to this journey and the genre he helped rejuvenate.

Martin Scorsese’s Career Pushed the Gangster Genre Forward

He Did It Throughout His Career

In the early days of cinema, viewers were quite accustomed to the gangster genre, characterized by a narrative arc of rise and fall, memorable catchphrases, and strong lead performances – figures like James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson helped establish this on screen. The infamous Al Capone’s real-life exploits fueled the popularity of these movies during the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. However, the genre gradually developed a reputation for being as shallow as the paper it was printed on. It wasn’t until the influence of European cinema and the end of the old Hays Code in 1968 that more nuanced, revisionist gangster films began to emerge.

In the 1970s, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese were pioneers who initially dabbled with the genre, creating some of its earliest examples. However, these movies blend genres and deviate from many traditional gangster storylines that viewers are familiar with. In a modern context, their timeless films like “Scarface” and “The Untouchables” introduced innovative styles and panache to the genre that were unprecedented. Later on, Martin Scorsese raised the bar even higher in the 90s.

Prior to reinvigorating the entire gangster movie genre in the ’90s with films like “Goodfellas”, Martin Scorsese had been creating crime movies, such as “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver”. These early works gave a sneak peek into the innovative style and skill Scorsese would later display. When he decided to apply this distinctive talent to the gangster genre in 1990, the result was nothing short of electrifying. The fast-paced rhythm and outstanding performances were merely the beginning of the craftsmanship showcased in “Goodfellas”. This film felt like a contemporary take on the traditional gangster movie, employing Scorsese’s entire arsenal of techniques – voice-over narration, freeze frames, music, and camera angles – in ways audiences hadn’t seen before. To this day, it stands as his most remarkable gangster film and is often considered his magnum opus.

He’d proceed to further explore the genre, creating films similar to “Casino,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Departed,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Besides De Palma, Coppola, and Scorsese reshaping the genre, the actors in their movies also left a lasting impression on viewers worldwide, becoming synonymous with iconic gangster roles.

The Irishman Is a Love Letter to Scorsese’s Success in the Gangster Genre

It Is One of the Most Important Collaborative Efforts of All Time

Initially, it might seem like “The Irishman” was destined for potential failure due to its extensive scale and audacious goals. Firstly, the budget was astronomical at $159 million, a significant investment from Netflix. Moreover, Martin Scorsese’s methodology and execution for this project were unprecedented in his filmmaking career, creating an immediate sense of pressure and risk. The unique challenge lay in portraying a man’s entire life through one central performance, which required the use of de-aging technology that was relatively untested in the film industry, especially for Scorsese.

In this groundbreaking and daring approach, not only the lead actor but also the entire supporting cast were renowned figures from the annals of cinema. Notably, “The Irishman” was Scorsese’s ninth, yet it marked his fourth collaboration with Joe Pesci and sixth with Harvey Keitel. More surprisingly, this was the first time Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino had worked together, and it also marked the first occasion that all four of these esteemed actors shared the screen in a single film.

Without a doubt, this film collaboration among such legendary names is almost unprecedented in cinema. Yet, the success of the movie wasn’t guaranteed merely by the star-studded cast. The plot, which delves into a well-known event in mob history concerning Jimmy Hoffa and organized crime, is narrated from the viewpoint of one of the mob’s deadliest assassins. However, the movie isn’t just about the criminal underworld; it explores themes of friendship and loyalty, revealing the value these ideals hold for men who live by deceit, theft, and violence. This is what makes each unique dynamic in the movie so captivating.

The narrative showcases numerous friendships spanning many years, symbolically reflecting the enduring professional partnerships of several individuals associated with the film’s creation. From Scorsese and De Niro, Scorsese and Pesci, De Niro and Pesci, to Pacino and De Niro, they come together in their later careers to share a story that they have collectively molded throughout the past fifty years within this cinematic genre.

The Cast of The Irishman Is Gangster Movie Royalty

The Film Honors Their Legacy by Depicting Legacy

Fundamentally, “The Irishman” delves into the lives of numerous individuals connected to highly potent and influential entities that expand with their objectives and create a unique type of heritage. “The Irishman” embodies everything admired about it, be it its storytelling methods such as narration, still shots, and dark wit or scenes set across various timeframes accompanied by captivating music and profound dialogue. In the realm of gangster films, “The Irishman” stands tall as the epitome of its genre. Although Frank’s legacy may be questionable, the legacies of Scorsese and everyone else associated with the production are iconic. Scorsese’s contributions to the gangster genre have been acknowledged, but each cast member has also significantly shaped the genre over the years.

Indeed, with Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel joining the crew, the cast of The Irishman is unparalleled, given their legendary roles in films such as Goodfellas and Casino, and Mean Streets, Reservoir Dogs, and Bad Lieutenant respectively.

In the movie, several iconic figures from the world of gangster films make an appearance, including Bobby Cannavale, Kathrine Narducci, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Stephen Graham. Each character plays a crucial role in what could potentially be the final chapter of all mob stories (though it’s not). The film’s ability to achieve its primary objective and pay tribute to the genre as a whole, as well as the careers of everyone involved, makes The Irishman one of Martin Scorsese’s most undervalued gangster films and arguably the most significant.

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2025-04-24 07:06