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.”
Hey, pay attention
Everybody here is busy. Winner of the Humane Society’s animal fund-raiser auction gets a private lunch date with Isabella Rossellini at the Met… Dramatist Guild. Jason Alexander hosts the Nov. 4 Alan Jay Lerner Award for writers at Ziegfeld Ballroom … Tuesday, Joanne Mosconi, chef Pietro’s daughter from Monte’s Trattoria in Greenwich Village, will serve up a book of papa’s immigration, recipes and memories of feeding those who never open their mouths except for food.
Stay ‘Current’
Fighting with GE? See “The Current War” with Benedict Cumberbatch playing Thomas Edison. It lights up Menlo Park and characters named Westinghouse and Tesla. Good story… Greta Van Susteren’s party in DC for her syndicated TV show “Full Court Press” drew Roberta McCain, 107. She’s mentally as sharp as her late son, Sen. John McCain.
Fashion nonsense
Although Bernie’s shouting he attracted a “yooj” crowd this weekend, let us consider front-runner Warren — known to her ancestors as Little Feather. Think about it: For the inaugural would we want our fabulous country’s president facing the world in a cheap, Orlon sweater?
This has absolutely nothing to do with the above mentioned genteel movie where a rubout does not necessarily signify a pencil eraser. However, it’s been said that people in New York — from all walks of life — run.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.