Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Writer: Jonathan Hensleigh, Jeremy Walters (Screenplay) Rick Porrello (Book)
Starring: Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Linda Cardellini, Tony Darrow, Robert Davi
Plot: The true story of Danny Greene, a tough Irish thug working for mobsters in Cleveland during the 1970’s.
Tagline – Based on the true story of Danny Greene the man the mob couldn’t kill
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Enjoyable Gangster Biopic
Story: Kill the Irishman starts in Cleveland 1975 where somebody tries to kill Irish thug Danny Greene (Stevenson) where detective Joe Manditski (Kilmer) fills in the past relationship between the two. We learn how Danny rose from smart worker to take over the union and begin ties with the Mafia John Nardi (D’Onofrio).
As Danny builds his reputation through Cleveland becoming somewhat of a Robin Hood figure, as he tries to leave the life behind even with his connections still strong, it soon becomes the challenge that no one could find a way to kill Danny.
Thoughts on Kill the Irishman
Characters – Danny Greene is a working man in Cleveland, he makes the connections within the Mafia he becomes one of their thugs before leaving the life to become a real businessman until he crosses them and becomes the target for a bounty on his head. John Nardi is the connection within the Mafia, that one that befriends Danny and offers the guidance he needs. Joe Manditski is the detective that is trying to keep everything in order and with his previous relationship with a younger Danny, he knows the character of Danny better than anyone. Shondor Birns is one up the next step up in the ladder of the Mafia that trusts Danny, only a business deal goes wrong and he puts the first hit out on Danny.
Performances – Ray Stevenson is great in this leading role, this is easily he best leading man performances of his career. Vincent D’Onofrio is good in the supporting role as are the whole supporting cast including Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken and a host of faces we are used to seeing in gangster movies.
Story – The story here follows the rise through the Mafia of Irishman Danny Greene through Cleveland through the 1970s, his story become big news for the area and some people saw him as a hero, others a criminal. We see how the gangster world is unfolded when the lines between right and wrong are crossed and the self-destruction from within will be their biggest weakness. This does follow most of what we do know from the genre and being based on a real person shows how the world can be easy to become the latest victim off. The time jumps in the storytelling are annoying because we don’t truly get to see just how much success he is having in the film.
Biopic/Crime – The crime world we enter is what we know, gangster who will kill anyone that crosses them. The biopic is everything we need to see as we learn about Danny Greene.
Settings – The film keeps us in and around Cleveland with a 70s feeling throughout the film.
Scene of the Movie – Danny knows what is happening.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Vinnie Jones’ Irish accent.
Final Thoughts – This is a good look at one of the members of the gangster that’s story helped change thing how the Mafia too.
Overall: Good biopic on the Irishman.
Rating
