Film took a Hoffa long time
AL Pacino plays the late union leader Jimmy Hoffa in “The Irishman.” It runs 3 ¹/2 hours — almost as long as Hoffa’s life.
Al: “Today’s all-access lifestyle with computer ability to acquire every kind of information is great for actors. I saw all kinds of stuff. Material everywhere — obligatory books, film where you heard Hoffa’s voice and assessed his mannerism. It takes time to go through his various stages, so you pile it on and see what stays with you.
“Special clothes were put together for my character. And the story had such dimension that you end up discussing it with everyone — the hair person, makeup person, wardrobe person. You’re spending time with them, discussing your feelings with them. It takes a village.
“This film’s almost 25 years in the making. Long back I already knew of its development. Getting everyone together with all their schedules is not easy but Scorsese, De Niro, Joe Pesci, Bobby Cannavale and I, probably 70 people, met maybe seven years ago at Bob De Niro’s complex in Tribeca. We read the whole script for the first time. “Mini-cameras filmed photographs while we were doing it. Everyone knew there was already a commitment to this. “But who knew it would take so long to film? We used to make a movie in six, seven months. Also, remember, we were shooting this on New York streets. In winter. Need I say more?
“I’ve seen the whole movie only once. I’ve been digesting it. There’s a lot there. I plan to watch it again. Look, wasn’t easy making it. Coming home from work, you end up sleeping in a zombie position.
“Of course I knew of Hoffa when I was young. Everybody did. He was in headlines. A household name. His son is also involved in unions but, so far, we haven’t heard from anyone in the family.
“It’s in theaters, but also eventually on Netflix at the same time. So that way if you have to go to the john in the middle you can pause it.”