Hoffa (1992)
2h 20m | PG-13
A portrait of union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro. The film follows Hoffa through his countless battles with the RTA and President Roosevelt.
Director: Danny DeVito
Studio: Jersey Films
Genre: Crime, History, Drama
Video: 720p
Cast
Jack Nicholson
as James R. 'Jimmy' Hoffa
Danny DeVito
as Bobby Ciaro
Armand Assante
as Carol D'Allesandro
J. T. Walsh
as Frank Fitzsimmons
John C. Reilly
as Pete Connelly
Natalija Nogulich
as Jo Hoffa
Reviews
This is quite an interesting postulation about the internecine politics of the USA in the 1960s. Centring on the rise of the hugely charismatic Teamster's Union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Jack Nicholson) whom, aided by sidekick "Ciaro" (Danny DeVito), is determined to build his union into a formidable political force using whatever means necessary. To that end he hooks up with the mob (Armand Assante) before coming up against an equally focussed Bobby Kennedy (Kevin Anderson) bent on sending him to jail. The extent to which much of the detail in this interpretation of their lives is true is anyone's guess, but this depiction is a compelling one with two strong leading performances and a well paced feel to it. It also tracks the political scenario quite well too. We get a sense that, initially at any rate, Hoffa did want to improve the lot of his 1.8 million members before a degree of invincible megalomania set in. Director Danny DeVito offers us a potential conclusion too - as yet, nobody knows what actually happened to this powerhouse of a man, and though it is a bit too long, this is still a good watch.