2 Stars — Disturbing
War destroys the soul. At least that is what is shown in Martin Scorsese’s latest film, “The Irishman.”
Telling the story of a man who came home from World War II to become a hit-man for the mob, the moral emptiness is both obvious and intended. Painfully long at 3½ hours, the story is told in flashbacks as Frank Sheeran (Robert de Niro) sits in his nursing home in a wheelchair. His emotionless explanations of how to murder is told as though he was explaining how to work on his car. Similarly, his recitation of how he lost his daughter’s respect is exposed without regret or even understanding.
It is based on the book “I Heard You Paint Houses” by Charles Brandt, a prosecutor who recorded the actual events upon which the story is based. It was adapted for the screen by Steven Zaillian.
“The Irishman” coincidentally meets Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) when he has car trouble at a gas station. Assisting him in the repair, Bufalino continues on his way, only to be reconnected with Sheeran soon after. It is this relationship around which the story revolves.
The Bufalino crime family was one of the most powerful in New York and worked closely with Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) of the Teamsters. The intertwining of Sheeran with both Bufalino and Hoffa provides a back story to some of the most alarming events of the 1960s, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The euphemistic description of painting houses implies the willingness of Sheeran to act as a hit-man for anyone willing to pay for his “painting” services. Without showing much of the gore of such a life, the story portrays Sheeran as a faithful member of the Bufalino family.
The clear destruction of the soul of Sheeran creates a real-life morality play demonstrating the results of such an immoral life. But what makes it disturbing is not only the inversion of a working man’s life with his small home and family, but the presence of Christian baptism in the lives of the mob members. Though no one can judge another or the measure of their faith, it is hard to reconcile such a life with the teachings of Christ. Even in the end, when Sheeran turns to the faith, it is hard to accept his actions as sincere.
The turning of a person into a murderous hit-man is difficult for most of us to understand. The vacant soul, the singular focus, the emotionless descriptions, the allegiance to the leader are portrayed so effectively that this film will be a continuing lesson for all of us. The absence of police or detectives in the story was undoubtedly purposeful, but the imprisonment for Sheeran was not for his murders but his destruction of property on behalf of the Teamsters. That is a reality that is hard to accept.
Discussion
» When we teach young men to kill in a war and then bring them back to their homes, we ignore the fact that they are not the same. What do you think needs to be done to assist both soldiers and families?
» Would the Irishman have killed Hoffa if he truly knew that he would also be killing his relationship with his daughter?
» When Sheeran’s daughter rejects him that still does not seem to impact his soul. Why do you think that is?
— Cinema in Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is a former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is the retired pastor of Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara and lead superintendent of Free Methodist Church in Southern California. For more reviews, visit www.cinemainfocus.com, or follow them on Twitter: @CinemaInFocus. The opinions expressed are their own.