No, The Irishman is not a sequel to Goodfellas. Despite sharing a legendary director in Martin Scorsese and starring acclaimed actors like Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, the two films are distinct cinematic works with separate narratives and thematic approaches.
While the presence of a familiar cast and director in a mob-related drama might lead some to imagine The Irishman as a continuation or quasi-sequel to Goodfellas, it is fundamentally different. Scorsese's long-time collaborators have indicated that The Irishman is absolutely nothing like Goodfellas and should not be considered a quasi-sequel.
Common Misconceptions and Key Distinctions
The confusion often arises due to the shared talent behind and in front of the camera, as well as the overarching genre of crime drama. However, their narratives, tones, and specific focuses diverge significantly.
Here's a breakdown of commonalities and crucial differences:
| Aspect | Goodfellas | The Irishman |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese | Martin Scorsese |
| Core Cast | Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta | Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci |
| Genre | Biographic Crime / Gangster Drama | Biographic Crime / Historical Drama / Gangster Drama |
| Source Material | Based on Henry Hill's life story in Wiseguy | Based on Frank Sheeran's claims in I Heard You Paint Houses |
| Narrative Focus | Energetic rise and fall within the Lucchese family's associates, focusing on the allure and eventual decline of the mob lifestyle. | Spans decades, focusing on the life of Frank Sheeran, his involvement with the Bufalino crime family, and his connection to Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance, offering a reflective look at aging and loss. |
| Relationship | Standalone narrative | Standalone narrative; not a sequel or quasi-sequel to Goodfellas. Distinct in tone and thematic exploration. |
Different Stories, Different Angles
Goodfellas, released in 1990, delves into the life of Henry Hill, an associate of the Lucchese crime family, capturing the exhilarating and brutal aspects of mob life from a younger, more active perspective. Its fast pace and dynamic storytelling became iconic.
In contrast, The Irishman (2019) is a sprawling, decades-spanning epic based on the claims of hitman Frank Sheeran, particularly his involvement with the Bufalino crime family and his alleged role in the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. The film offers a more somber, reflective, and retrospective look at the consequences of a life of crime, aging, and the erosion of relationships. While both explore the criminal underworld, their narrative structures, emotional core, and ultimate messages are distinctly different.
