The Irishman had all the hallmarks of an awards shoo-in: it’s a sweeping three-and-a-half-hour epic
that spans five decades of American history and stars iconic actors (De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci).
Astoundingly, from 25 combined Bafta, Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, nothing materialised,
but De Niro and director Martin Scorsese clearly don’t mind: they’re teaming up again for Killers
Of The Flower Moon, a film set in a mini oil rush in 1920s Oklahoma, when oil was struck on land
owned by the native Osage people... who then mysteriously began to turn up murdered. Again, all
the ingredients are there: a period drama thick with criminal investigations and cover-ups. Scorsese
has even drafted in Leonardo DiCaprio, marking the first time the director has worked on the same
feature film with his two most famous leading men. Come 2021, De Niro will fancy another tilt.The Wisest WiseguyRobert De Niro
Nominated for Best Film
Film The IrishmanRobert wears Giorgio ArmaniBAFTA 202004-20BAFTAs_3418656.indd 174 13/02/2020 11:39
174 GQ.CO.UK APRIL 2020