"The Irishman" Trailer Sets Scorsese Up for Oscar Potential

Scene from The Irishman (2019)

There have been few obvious Oscar campaigns quite like director Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. It was so anticipated that a teaser played during the commercials for the actual ceremony. However, this is the first time that audiences will be privy to what lied in one of the most exciting pairings of the year. Not only is it the return of Scorsese with Robert de Niro, but it also features Goodfellas actor Joe Pesci and his first with Al Pacino. It's a dynamite group that could sell the film without a single piece of marketing. Thankfully, the trailer that premiered lived up to the expectations, taking audiences back to the world of Scorsese gangster films for the first time since The Departed in 2006. If nothing else, it looks to be one of the best excuses to subscribe to Netflix yet.

The road to Netflix getting major Oscar nominations has been a fascinating one. Ever since Beasts of No Nation premiered, the mix of distribution has been contested. Should films premiere in theaters to qualify for an Oscar, or is the new reliability of streaming services reshaping how this should be handled? It's a question that surrounded Best Director winner Roma last year, and one that will face Scorsese. While Roma's Alfonso Cuaron is more of an experimental director, Scorsese feels rooted in a tradition that he's unwilling to shake. Is he going to add prestige to Netflix with this film? Most assuredly. But the question is whether it will be what Hollywood needs to do to appreciate Netflix as something more than an easy source of entertainment. 

Scorsese and Cuaron are two of a few who are making the shift in recent years, and one can hope that the change continues. The Irishman is easily the platform's highest-profile film, as it features a cast synonymous with prestige - or at least when working with Scorsese. The idea of seeing De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci together in a film penned by screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Gangs of New York) for Scorsese seems inscrutable. There's no film yet that has a cast this appetizing, and the fact that the teaser was no more than a bullet falling over audio clips as their names came up shows how much quality they've acquired over the decades. 

With an actual trailer now in public distribution, it's time to get excited about the film. While there's still no official release date, or if it will go directly to theaters or streaming, it's full of a promise of an Oscar season that we've been waiting for. To be candid, 2019 has been a lackluster year so far for Oscar-caliber movies. There's been maybe a few indies that will squeak by, but no blockbuster has reached the same awe of Black Panther yet. Scorsese's consistency gives some hope that this is the turning point, especially in an Oscar season that has... Tom Hooper's Cats?

Check out the trailer below:

It looks very good. Here's the plot description according to IMDb:

A mob hitman recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.

There is so much to look forward to with the film. While the Netflix distribution that gained controversy will likely lead to another interesting debate this Fall, it's also interesting to see it as a study of a new trend. Films like Captain Marvel have taken to de-aging actors for performances. The technology is still fairly young, but it's interesting to see Scorsese using it, especially as he's widely regarded as a cinematic genius. He doesn't make flawed movies, at least from a technique standpoint. How will he make Pacino, de Niro, and Pesci look younger? Will it be worth it? Given the actors' pedigrees, it likely will be. Still, there's much more than another gangster drama on display here. It's almost going to be a feat if Pacino can emote through the technology, possibly earning another Oscar nomination (he's been having a great year for prestige collaborations following this summer's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood).

Will the film make it to Oscar circles? Given that Netflix has finally broken into the Oscar race big time with Roma, there's not really a taboo to surround the film. It's about Scorsese helping to add legitimacy to the streaming service. It's also a chance to see what the artist can do after the rare box office flop with Silence. With a much more attentive audience, there's a good chance that this will be his much-deserved return to glory. If nothing else, it has a great first trailer in place with flawless visuals. What more would you expect from him?