DVD COVER/SIDE
Length of film: 209 Minutes
Rated: R
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano
IMDB Rank: 7.8/10
Part 1 Time: 108 Minutes
Part 2 Time: 101 Minutes
*** Released exclusively on Netflix.
Where does the first part end? Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) watches television in the kitchen of his home. His daughter Peggy Sheeran (Lucy Gallina) walks into the kitchen watches the television complete the news story and leaves not saying a word to Frank.
Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Speculation has it, his death will start a gang way, if it hasn’t already begun” Television news reporter speaks about the assassination of Joey Gallo.
First line of dialogue on the second part: “Take it easy Jimmy.” Prison inmate speaks to Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) as he is released from prison.
How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, at this point in the film we understand Frank’s role within Bufalino crime family. Peggy already has mixed feelings about her father based on childhood experiences. The bigger question is what is in store for Frank, will he see Jimmy Hoffa again and what impacts will past choices have on his future?
Which part is better? Part one documents early Frank Sheeran years in the Bufalino crime family and his first interactions with Russell Bufalino and Jimmy Hoffa. Part two continues the story with Jimmy Hoffa trying to regain his position as President of the Teamsters Union. Part two is given a slight edge as it documents the events surrounding the Jimmy Hoffa disappearance.
Academy Awards: Best Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Al Pacino-Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci-Nominated), Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Production Design (Nominated), Best film Editing (Nominated), Best Visual Effects (Nominated)
THEATRICAL POSTER
Hollywood Half-Time 
I’ll never understand why Scorsese would ever insist on watching this in a single sitting considering the fact that it’s a Netflix film. I get “directors intent” or whatever but you should also know your audience. And I bet most people on Netflix are willing to watch something for 3.5 hours straight.
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And same thing with Killers of the Flower Moon too since that was also released on streaming.
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Films released in streaming are notorious for not having intermissions, as some believe the film can be paused and resumed at the viewers preference. Personally if a film runs longer than 190 minutes I believe the director(s) should strongly consider an intermission point. I was so glad the Brutalist had one, that was a long watch.
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Maybe not an intermission for streaming films but I think properly seperating the film into chapters or parts would heavily benefit since you can pause at those moments without too much of a whiplash.
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