The director was long identified with ornately edited set pieces. In “The Irishman” and his latest film, the flourishes have given way to blunt truths.
The actor may be best known for “Goodfellas,” but he almost bailed on it because the character of the underboss Paulie Cicero was so difficult to pin down.
A would-be singing star, he found success in Hollywood playing a variety of roles, but they were often quiet, dangerous men, like Paulie Cicero in “Goodfellas.”