No, you do not need to watch anything specific before watching The Irishman. The film stands on its own and is not directly connected to other movies.
Understanding Connections and Recommendations
While The Irishman functions as a standalone film, exploring other cinematic works can deepen your appreciation for its themes, cast, and director. These suggestions are for enhancing your overall understanding of certain filmmaking legacies rather than being prerequisites for plot comprehension.
For Deeper Context with Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci
- Goodfellas: This iconic film is highly recommended viewing at some point. Watching Goodfellas can provide significant insight into the collaborative genius of director Martin Scorsese with actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. It offers a glimpse into their established cinematic language and recurrent thematic interests in the crime genre, helping you appreciate their work in The Irishman even more.
For a Complementary Cinematic Experience
- Once Upon a Time in America: Directed by Sergio Leone, this epic crime drama is often suggested as a film to consider watching. Its sprawling narrative and reflections on time, memory, and the criminal underworld make it a compelling counterpart to The Irishman, whether you choose to watch it before or after.
These recommendations serve as enrichment rather than essential viewing for understanding The Irishman's plot.
