[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

So I'm about halfway; Hoffa's clearly on the scene now.

I'm not actually opposed to how Pacino's portraying him. Hoffa was, by most accounts, a fiery dude who had a hell of a temper. Going over the top to play him isn't exactly unreasonable.

I think the problem isn't Pacino in this movie, it's Pacino in every other movie he's made in the last 20 years and the audience reaction to him. We're just kinda worn thin on his particular form of scenery chewing. This is pretty much just what Pacino does now so all we see is Pacino. We don't see Pacino playing Hoffa.

Should Scorsese have seen that coming and cast someone else in the role? Possibly. I think you can criticize Scorsese for the casting choice because it is a little difficult to stay in the movie when he's on the screen. All you see is Pacino in much the same way that Tom Cruise is always Tom Cruise.

But in a vacuum, had we not been 'treated' to 2 decades of Pacino shouting, I don't think we'd have a problem with how he handles the role in this movie. It's not like it's as bizarre as him playing King Richard or anything...

After say - 1980 - the only thing I recall liking him in was The Devil's Advocate. He single handedly ruined this film. DeNiro was the star and JP was a close second.