Martin Scorsese's epic 'The Irishman' premieres in New York

Martin Scorsese’s Irishman premiered Friday at New York Film Festival, finally raising curtain on director’s long-awaited, 209-minute crime-drama opus.

' Irishman' as opening night gala

Though film’s genre and cast, including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, has led some to expect a gangster thriller in mold of “GoodFellas” or “Casi,” Irishman is a more reflective, less flashy rumination on morality, violence and American power. Through de-aging visual effects, performances by De Niro, Pesci and Al Paci span deces.

Re: Netflix's ' Irishman' To Have Limited atrical Release In US

Irishman was screened for members of press Friday morning ahe of its evening red carpet premiere as opening night gala for New York Film Festival. film’s debut has loomed like few or events on film calendar, and a rare frenzy greeted it at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. Reviews from critics were largely laudatory.

Variety called it “a coldly enthralling triumph” and “a stately, omius, suck-in-your-breath summing up.” Hollywood Reporter called film’s length a weakness but still hailed “a sprawling gangland saga that’s by turns flinty, amusing and richly stalgic.” New York Times called it “a gift for cinephiles ... but also a somber ackwledgment of limitations.”

Re:  Irishman Trailer: Martin Scorsese Reuniting De-d Robert De Niro & Al Paci Will Give You Godfar-2 Feels

film is also one of Netflix’s biggest bets yet. streaming company plunked down $159 million to make “ Irishman” after or studios passed. Scorsese, speaking in a Q&A alongside cast and producers, said that Netflix was only one willing to bankroll movie.

“All of us w are in an extraordinary time of change,”: Scorsese

“We couldn’t get backing for years,” Scorsese said. “It’s a costly experiment, but (Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos) and everyone at Netflix was like, ‘We’ll go with it.’” Scorsese called his film “an interesting hybrid” as both something me for aters and for watching at home. It will open atrically v. 1 and begin streaming on v. 27.

“All of us w are in an extraordinary time of change,” Scorsese said. “But when it comes down to it, I felt — Bob (De Niro) felt — picture h to be me for ourselves.” Based on Charles Brandt’s book “I Heard You Paint Houses,” ″ Irishman” has been in development, on and off, for more than a dece. It stars De Niro as Frank Sheeran, a mafia hitman, and high-ranking Teamster official. Shortly before his death, he confessed to killing Jimmy Hoffa (played by Paci). Pesci plays mob boss Russell Bufali.

Re:  Quentin Taranti Kept 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Script Locked To Prevent Leaks

Irishman surveys Sheeran’s long life in crime. But where “GoodFellas” was glamorous, “ Irishman” is sober. It’s a big statement for 76-year-old director. Scorsese and his producers offered some impressive statistics on movie’s scope: 108 days of shooting, 117 locations, 309 scenes.

ambitious size of Irishman is part of what scared away or studios, along with expensive de-aging process used to make De Niro, Pesci and Paci appear years younger in significant sections of movie. Nine cameras were used to film those scenes. Scorsese initially did a screen test and compared his digitally altered De Niro to De Niro of GoodFellas. When actor, 76, saw himself de-d, he joked that he could extend his career ar 30 years.

Scorsese described intensive effects process as more than making ir faces more youthful. “It isn’t just about ses and computer imry, it’s about posture, it’s about movement, it’s about clouding eyes,” said Scorsese, ting that meant giving De Niro directions like reminding him that he h to stand up from a chair “like you’re 49.”

For many, biggest excitement about Irishman is seeing Scorsese and De Niro back toger for first time since 1995′s Casi. Pesci has acted only a handful of times in two deces since Lethal Weapon 4. And even though many assume y’ve me numerous films toger, this is Scorsese’s first movie with Paci. Finally,” director said.

Re: On Christopher lan's Birthday, Here's A Critics-public Scorecard Of His Best Films