Hoffa (1992)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer (WGA):

David Mamet (written by)

Release Date:

25 December 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

He didn't want law. He wanted justice.

Plot:

A film based on the story of legendary union figure Jimmy Hoffa.

Plot Keywords:

Union | Tense | Labor Dispute | Labor Union | Political

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	James R. 'Jimmy' Hoffa
Danny DeVito	...	Bobby Ciaro
Armand Assante	...	Carol D'Allesandro
J.T. Walsh	...	Frank Fitzsimmons
John C. Reilly	...	Pete Connelly
Frank Whaley	...	Young Kid
Kevin Anderson	...	Robert Kennedy
John P. Ryan	...	Red Bennett
Robert Prosky	...	Billy Flynn
Natalia Nogulich	...	Jo Hoffa
Nicholas Pryor	...	Hoffa's Attorney
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Ted Harmon
Karen Young	...	Young Woman at RTA
Cliff Gorman	...	Solly Stein
Joanne Neer	...	Soignee Woman

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and strong language.

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | USA:R (certificate #32066) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Canal+

Trivia:

With the exception of the exchange between Jimmy Hoffa and Robert Kennedy when Hoffa first enters and delays the start of the proceedings, virtually every word between Jimmy Hoffa and Robert Kennedy is taken verbatim from the transcripts of the hearing. A portion of that hearing is included in the Special Edition DVD.

Goofs:

Continuity: In addition to Billy Flynn having a revolver that is constantly cocked-uncocked, as the revolver is brought to a vertical position as Billy is uncocking it for the final time it somehow changes from a modern (for the time) double action revolver to a single action Colt. All of this happening within the 90 degree sweep from horizontal to vertical.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bobby Ciaro: Want me to go call him up?
Jimmy Hoffa: Uh-unh.
Bobby Ciaro: Want a cup of coffee?
Jimmy Hoffa: No.
Bobby Ciaro: Want to go?
[Hoffa gives him a scornful glance]
Bobby Ciaro: You OK?
Jimmy Hoffa: Yeah.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kicking and Screaming (1995)

Soundtrack:

When You're Smiling

You don't have to like the man to like the movie

I have no interest in the life of Jimmy Hoffa, and I am predisposed to disliking the man even before the first frame of Hoffa is run. But I do watch, knowing the film is from a very good David Mamet script, knowing that I want to be convinced that Jack Nicholson is one of our great actors, and knowing that Danny DeVito is a very serious filmmaker--that I will see his heart and soul in the film.

I am not disappointed, and I still care, not at all about James Hoffa, the man.

Jack Nicholson is one of our great actors, and regardless of all his extra curricular activities, he is a committed and serious craftsman, and his portrayal of James Hoffa is fine craftsmanship.

The story of Hoffa itself may be the least interesting component of the film. The production design is beautiful-a perfect compliment to the words of Mamet delivered by a painstakingly perfect cast.

Should you have the opportunity to view the deluxe laserdisk with the Danny Devito commentary and extra production materials you will be treated.

Not a film for everyone, but I liked it.