Writer David Mamet and director Danny DeVito (the latter taking a break from the dark comedy genre) here attempt a portrait of the legendary Teamsters leader who remained firmly on the side of the working man. Jack Nicholson, giving one of his best film performances, is believable as James R. Hoffa, a man so devoted to the rights of his people that he was willing to "deal with the Devil", and develop associations with organized crime figures to get things done. This was a passionate and yet complex figure, whose ultimate fate remains shrouded in mystery (with Mamet devising one possible explanation for what happened).
Somewhat sentimental in its approach, with a grandiose score by David Newman, this is given slick, stylish treatment by DeVito, who creates some visual tricks at select moments. Its main point is to show how this incredibly forceful personality, with his fair share of both assets and flaws, just completely galvanized blue collar workers across America. In that sense, it does its job well. And it moves along rather well, for even as it clocks in at two hours and 20 minutes, it remains easy to watch, with some compelling passages.
It's not unreasonable to say, however, that Nicholson's performance essentially IS the movie. Although, as time and his career went on, he could often easily slide into "wacky Jack" mode, he was still thoroughly capable of immersing himself in a character and leaving eccentricities far behind. DeVito himself plays a fictional character who became a steadfast companion to Hoffa throughout the years. They receive exceptional support from a cast just full of familiar faces: Armand Assante, J. T. Walsh, Robert Prosky, John C. Reilly, Kevin Anderson (as Hoffas' nemesis, Bobby Kennedy), John P. Ryan, Frank Whaley, Natalija Nogulich, Nicholas Pryor, Paul Guilfoyle, Karen Young, and Cliff Gorman. Nicholson's daughter Jennifer has a bit as a nursing nun in white; Bruno Kirby has an uncredited cameo as a nightclub entertainer.
Overall, it is this great cast that helps to smooth over any flaws in the script or the film. This viewer has not yet seen Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman", but comparisons between the two films is sure to be interesting.
Seven out of 10.
Somewhat sentimental in its approach, with a grandiose score by David Newman, this is given slick, stylish treatment by DeVito, who creates some visual tricks at select moments. Its main point is to show how this incredibly forceful personality, with his fair share of both assets and flaws, just completely galvanized blue collar workers across America. In that sense, it does its job well. And it moves along rather well, for even as it clocks in at two hours and 20 minutes, it remains easy to watch, with some compelling passages.
It's not unreasonable to say, however, that Nicholson's performance essentially IS the movie. Although, as time and his career went on, he could often easily slide into "wacky Jack" mode, he was still thoroughly capable of immersing himself in a character and leaving eccentricities far behind. DeVito himself plays a fictional character who became a steadfast companion to Hoffa throughout the years. They receive exceptional support from a cast just full of familiar faces: Armand Assante, J. T. Walsh, Robert Prosky, John C. Reilly, Kevin Anderson (as Hoffas' nemesis, Bobby Kennedy), John P. Ryan, Frank Whaley, Natalija Nogulich, Nicholas Pryor, Paul Guilfoyle, Karen Young, and Cliff Gorman. Nicholson's daughter Jennifer has a bit as a nursing nun in white; Bruno Kirby has an uncredited cameo as a nightclub entertainer.
Overall, it is this great cast that helps to smooth over any flaws in the script or the film. This viewer has not yet seen Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman", but comparisons between the two films is sure to be interesting.
Seven out of 10.