Rating summary
Movie | | 3.5 |
Video | | 4.0 |
Audio | | 4.5 |
Extras | | 5.0 |
Overall | | 4.0 |
Hoffa Blu-ray Movie Review
Wait a sec, he had children?
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 3, 2013
“Hoffa” is a presentation of shameless mythmaking, though one that’s supported by such barnstorming direction, it’s impossible to dismiss it outright.
It’s a boldly designed, volcanically acted endeavor that doesn’t seek to understand its subject on anything more than a surface level of engagement.
This is not “Jimmy Hoffa: The Movie,” but a valentine to a shifty guy who didn’t let anything stand in the way of his vision for a unionized America,
shielding his unsavory interests behind an ideal of blue collar protection, where the common man could be comfortable in the knowledge that loyal
brothers and sisters were there to defend his right to work in a safe, financially rewarding environment. There’s little dimension to Danny DeVito’s
picture, replaced with shockwaves of cinematic orchestration that help to preserve interest in the titular titan, even if viewers walk away from the film
with only a slightly more refined appreciation for Hoffa’s dedication to the cause.
As a young idealistic man, Jimmy Hoffa (Jack Nicholson) took to the streets to persuade desperate workers to join the expanding Teamsters’ Union,
selling the switch as passage to a better life of vocational protection. Working his indefatigable spirit, Hoffa’s compassionate personality swayed
thousands, including truck driver Bobby Ciaro (Danny DeVito), a diminutive but forceful figure who grew to become Hoffa’s right-hand man.
Struggling to maintain union interests in the face of powerful business leaders, Hoffa aligned himself with organized crime, creating a dangerous
influence that complicated his journey toward integrity and leadership, eventually triggering a government investigation spearheaded by Robert
Kennedy (Kevin Anderson). As the years pass, Hoffa rises in power, balancing his workload with confidant Frank Fitzsimmons (J.T. Walsh), while
falling deeper into complex designs of monetary flow with union money, exposing the bulldog to the humiliation of prison and betrayal as his dreams
of influence are cruelly stripped away.
It’s fitting to have David Mamet as the screenwriter of “Hoffa,” finding one salty, chewy man dreaming up clenched fist dialogue for another. While
the title of the effort certainly promises an investigation into the life and times of Jimmy Hoffa, the writing is instead focused on the union-building
days of the man. It’s a story told in flashbacks beginning in 1975, where Jimmy and Bobby wait anxiously in the parking lot of a rural diner to meet
with mob boss Carol D’Allesandro (Armand Assante) to discuss their clouded future with the Teamsters’ Union. Downing cigarettes and coffee, the
men mentally sift through their shared history of organizing, where Jimmy used his powers of persuasion and negotiation to introduce a focal point
of security to men working themselves to the bone for pennies. Fighting to secure his place in the organization and shift the balance of power in the
Midwest throughout the thirties and forties, Jimmy watched his influence spread like a rumor, with workers careful to silence their union aspirations
out of fear of job loss, including Bobby, who we first meet as a feral, knife-wielding driver who catches the organizer’s eye with his direct manner
and loyalty.
“Hoffa” begins in the middle of Jimmy’s life, and without any real time stamp to help gauge progress, it wanders through the decades, picking up
the basics of the leader’s career as he moves from player to president, taking over the Teamsters’ Union with a radical plan of control that suited his
interests. “Hoffa” isn’t always easy to follow, requiring some previous knowledge of the subject’s history and familiarity with the flurry of last names
that blanket the script, but the essentials of passion and violence are carefully established, watching strike stand-offs explode into riots, while
Jimmy himself is involved with underhanded dealings used to push management to seek out union enlightenment. “Hoffa” doesn’t brazenly slap a
pair of wings on Jimmy’s back, reinforcing his illegal interests as his mob ties strengthen. However, it’s hardly a dimensional portrait of the man,
employing David Newman’s gorgeous, emotional score to reinforce the boss’s crooked sense of nobility, doing whatever he could to secure union
demands while massaging his own self-interests in the organization. In fact, “Hoffa” is almost deliberately abstract at times, constructed out of hazy
memories and backroom storytelling -- a cinematic game of telephone where Jimmy Hoffa ends up a hero for the common man, despite the blood
on his hands. It’s an interesting approach to a challenging story, even with considerable holes in the characterization.
Perhaps the most egregious error Mamet and DeVito make is leaving out Jimmy’s home life, transforming wife Jo (Natalia Nogulich) into a vague
player in the proceedings, while it takes roughly 100 minutes before any sense of a home life is established, finding a brief display of a grandchild
waving farewell to her prison-bound grandfather more confusing than heartbreaking. “Hoffa” ignores Jimmy’s domestic situation to such a degree
that eventual glimpses into his home life are jarring, hinting at a direction the picture would’ve been wise to take. Better to leave it all out than to
offer only frustrating suggestions of such fascinating vulnerability.
While plotting is flawed, “Hoffa” showcases a sublime directorial gymnastics routine from DeVito, to pilots the picture with exquisite attention to
visual storytelling, working with cinematographer Stephen H. Burum to create inventive transitions and unusual special effects that generate an
irresistible forward momentum to the effort. While Nicholson provides a forceful punch of ambition as Jimmy, a thoughtfully measured act of
imitation that’s aided by marvelous make-up work, “Hoffa” truly belongs to DeVito and his epic vision for such an intimate tale of defiance. Using
the widescreen frame to its maximum potential, the director employs a thrilling cinematic language that sustains the material’s passion and its
mournful atmosphere. The helmer is blasting away with the audacity of a film student, making “Hoffa” an effort of extraordinary detail,
craftsmanship, and directorial ingenuity. The technical achievements of the movie are simply stunning, gifting the feature a magnificent sense of
scale.
Hoffa Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Hoffa" remains quite faithful to its original theatrical appearance, boasting impressively
deep colors that articulate the autumnal and winter moods of the movie. Hues are rich, showing no signs of fade, keeping costuming lush and skintones
impressively human. It's a clean image (offering only a thin layer of grain) with a hint of filtering, yet there's little to criticize here, as fine detail is
maintained, allowing a genuine inspection of the make-up department's stellar work, while fabrics and set construction provide touchable textures.
Shadow detail thickens some during evening sequences, but blacks are largely deep and true. The viewing experience is balanced and striking at times,
keeping DeVito's tricks and luxurious mood open for inspection. No damage was detected.
Hoffa Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "Hoffa" is generally successful with its sonic intentions, providing a full sense of mood and dramatic tension without
distortion. While not employed for much of the feature, surrounds are quite immersive when called upon, handling atmospherics and distances with
clarity, while crowd dynamics are properly serviced, generating a true feel of group events. Directional activity is also cleanly handled. Dialogue
exchanges are secure and significant, with rich tones and a crisp balance of dialogue delivery. Scoring is intentionally pronounced, yet never obstructs
the verbal exchanges, easily carrying on-screen events to euphoric heights, retaining sharp instrumentation and range. Low-end isn't a consistent
event, but explosions and assorted intensity is hearty.
Hoffa Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Booklet (26 pages) supplies filmographies, production notes, and critical appraisals.
- Commentary with Danny DeVito is primarily a technical affair, with the director pointing out his scene-specific intentions
with complex transitions and labor-intensive camera moves, carefully to isolate creative achievements from the crew. DeVito is obviously a charming,
funny guy, and the track reflects his rascally personality, with plenty of stories about his interactions with the cast shared. However, the discussion is
mostly filled with reverence, peppered with a little play-by-play to lubricate the one-man show.
- "The Music of 'Hoffa'" (10:3, HD) greets DeVito and composer David Newman in a Fox screening room to discuss the
musical mood of the picture. The score started life as trailer music, winning over the production to such a degree, it fed into the feature, with DeVito
and Newman discussing creative choices and emotional orchestral cues that assisted the complex visual design of the effort.
- "DeVito's Speech at the 2011 Teamsters Convention in Las Vegas" (15:16, HD) spotlights the actor's visit to the gathering
of brothers and sisters, using Hoffa-esque techniques (and DeVito-esque humor) to rile up the crowds as he shares his experiences with union crews
and his life with the Screen Actors Guild. Taken out of context, and one could easily assume that DeVito is running for the Teamsters presidency.
- Excised Scenes (5:18, SD) explores more of Hoffa's rhetoric with his friends and enemies, extended time during a pivotal
hunting trip, and collects a few unused shots meant to establish location.
- "Historical New Coverage of Hoffa" (7:54, SD) presents a congressional showdown between the Teamsters leader and
Robert Kennedy, isolating the strength and volatility of character and the precision of its eventual Hollywood interpretation.
- "Personal Anecdotes from Members of the Teamsters Union" (6:36, SD) gathers a few of Hoffa's brothers to reinforce the
subject's sense of fair play and dedication to the cause, also detailing his impoverished upbringing to best understand his self-educated rise to power.
- Special Shots (14:13, SD) is a fascinating dissection of a few of the film's more impressive optical tricks, offering
commentary from DeVito, who walks through numerous scenes with the viewer, sharing technical tips and cracking wise.
- "DeVito's 11 1/4" (11:02, SD) is a comical assembly of BTS footage, displaying cast and crew antics as they entertain
themselves between shots. It's highly amusing, with Nicholson especially relaxed and playful with his co-stars. The featurette also points out Tim
Burton's cameo as a corpse during a funeral sequence.
- "Siskel & Ebert" (4:28, SD) offers a clip from the famous movie review show, where the critics discuss their positive
review.
- "Discussion After First Script Read-Through" (3:34, SD) is an audio presentation where the actors chat up the themes and
characterizations of the movie during its planning stages. Captured accidentally, the quality of the recording is disrupted by Nicholson's incessant
pounding on a table.
- Production Gallery offers an extensive amount of BTS photos from the set.
- Shooting Script is provided.
- And an exceptional Theatrical Trailer (2:06, SD) is included.
Hoffa Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"Hoffa" isn't an educational viewing experience, but a picture that's meant to inspire, isolating a raw drive of ambition for a special cause. While it
displays the muscularity of an explosive bio-pic, DeVito and Mamet would rather remain in the shadows, keeping their subject's fallibility to a minimum
as they explore grandiose acts of mythmaking. It's far from nourishing, but "Hoffa" retains an irresistible exterior appeal even if it only provides
occasional peeks into penetrating drama.