The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, is the latest (and highly anticipated) gangster epic by director Martin Scorsese. There is a sense of nostalgia and of letting go about this movie as it somehow feels like the last Organized Crime film to be made by the director.
So if you enjoyed the 3.5-hour masterpiece, here are a few films just like it.
The Departed (2006) – A story of two moles – one working for the police, the other for the Irish mob – whose paths cross and subsequently become entangled. It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, and won Scorsese his first and only Best Director Oscar.
The Godfather Part II (1974) – The only film on this list that wasn’t directed by Scorsese, is both a sequel and prequel to 1972’s The Godfather. It tells the story of the rise of Mafia boss Vito Corleone. It was the first sequel to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Casino (1995) – Ace Rothstein, a Jewish-American gambling expert is asked by the Chicago Mafia to oversee the day-to-day casino and hotel operations at a Las Vegas casino. The film details Ace’s operation of the casino, the difficulties he confronts in his job, the Mafia’s involvement with the casino, and the gradual breakdown of his relationships and standing, as Las Vegas changes over the years.
Raging Bull (1980) – Hailed as one of the best films ever made, Raging Bull tells the story of an emotionally self-destructive boxer’s journey through life, as the violence and temper that leads him to the top in the ring, destroys his life outside it.
Goodfellas (1990) – The story of Irish-Italian American, Henry Hill, and how he lives day-to-day life as a member of the Mafia. Based on a true story, the plot revolves around Henry and his two unstable friends Jimmy and Tommy as they gradually climb the ladder from petty crime to violent murders. For many, it remains the greatest depiction of mobster life on screen.
The Irishman is now streaming on Netflix.
Frankly Speaking 