Kill the Irishman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A ridiculously hard-to-kill Irishman annoys the mafia in Cleveland so much that they try blowing him up… a LOT.

🍿 Kill the Irishman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Union Involvement

The film introduces Danny Greene as a tough, charismatic Irish-American navigating the gritty streets of Cleveland. He becomes involved with the longshoreman’s union, quickly rising through the ranks due to his fearlessness and intelligence. Greene challenges the corrupt existing leadership, leading to conflicts and violence as he seeks to reform the union’s practices.

Alliance with the Mafia and Rise to Power

To further his ambitions and gain more influence, Greene forms an uneasy alliance with a local Mafia gangster. This partnership allows him to expand his operations and consolidate his power within Cleveland’s criminal underworld. He gains a reputation as a Robin Hood-like figure, protecting his community while simultaneously engaging in illegal activities.

War with the Italian Mafia

Greene’s growing power and independent streak eventually put him at odds with the established Italian Mafia families. This leads to a brutal and protracted war, characterized by numerous bombings and assassination attempts. Cleveland becomes known as “Bomb City, USA” as the violence escalates and Greene repeatedly evades death.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson): A charismatic and ambitious Irish-American gangster who rises to power in Cleveland’s criminal underworld during the 1970s.
• John Nardi (Vincent D’Onofrio): A Mafia gangster who partners with Danny Greene and helps him navigate the treacherous world of organized crime.
• Shondor Birns (Christopher Walken): A Jewish loan shark who becomes a key associate of Danny Greene, providing him with opportunities and resources.
• Joe Manditski (Val Kilmer): A Cleveland police detective and childhood friend of Danny Greene who becomes entangled in Greene’s criminal activities.
• Joan Madigan (Linda Cardellini): Danny Greene’s wife, who struggles to cope with his increasingly violent and dangerous lifestyle.
• Ray Ferritto (Robert Davi): A member of Cleveland’s Italian organized crime scene, whose actions lead to dramatic and deadly results.
• Jack Licavoli (Tony Lo Bianco): The head of the Cleveland Mafia family who becomes Danny Greene’s primary adversary.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Danny Greene: “I may be a potato eater Mr. MacLeish but I don’t eat fat out of a sheep’s asshole…” – Said during a heated negotiation with a Scottish businessman, Danny uses the insult about Haggis to show him that he is not a man to be intimidated by anyone.
• Danny Greene: “If any of these maggots from the so-called mafia want to come after me, I’m not a hard man to find.” – This defiant statement encapsulates Danny Greene’s fearlessness and challenge to his enemies.
• John Nardi: “We’re not just criminals, Danny. We’re businessmen.” – Highlights the shifting perspective of mobsters viewing themselves as professionals within a criminal enterprise.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,188,194
• Worldwide Gross: $1,188,194

💥 Kill the Irishman Reviews

Personal Review

I was drawn to ‘Kill the Irishman’ because of the cast and the true-crime aspect. I found the movie a fast-paced ride with some brutal moments. Ray Stevenson really embodies the tough and charismatic Danny Greene. I especially enjoyed the scenes where he outsmarts the mob. However, I wish the film had explored Greene’s personal life and motivations more deeply. Overall, it’s an enjoyable mob movie, but it could have been so much better.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of mob movies like Goodfellas and Casino”
  • “Those interested in true crime stories”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed gangster films”
  • “Individuals familiar with Cleveland’s history and organized crime scene”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and intense action sequences”
  • “Strong language and profanity throughout”
  • “Brief scenes with partial nudity and sexual content”
  • “Mature themes including crime, corruption, and betrayal”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While boasting a strong cast and a compelling true story, ‘Kill the Irishman’ suffers from uneven pacing and a reliance on familiar gangster tropes. Ray Stevenson delivers a solid performance, but the film struggles to find its unique voice within the genre.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Kill the Irishman’ is a competently made but ultimately unremarkable addition to the mob movie canon. The film benefits from a solid performance by Ray Stevenson as Danny Greene, but the script lacks depth and the direction is workmanlike rather than inspired.
• Empire Magazine: “This is an entertaining, if somewhat derivative, gangster flick. Stevenson shines as the charismatic yet brutal Danny Greene. Christopher Walken and the supporting cast provide strong moments, but the film never quite reaches the heights of its genre predecessors. Still a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

Ray Stevenson’s captivating performance as Danny Greene: Audiences appreciated the film’s gritty realism and the story of a man who dared to defy the mob.

Explosive action sequences and the depiction of Cleveland in the 1970s.: Viewers enjoyed the authentic setting and the numerous car bombings that punctuated the narrative.

Overall Consensus: Kill the Irishman delivers a fast-paced and violent gangster tale, but falls short of being a classic due to its reliance on genre tropes and lack of depth. Ray Stevenson’s performance is a highlight, but the film ultimately remains a somewhat forgettable entry in the mob movie genre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the book ‘To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia’ by Rick Porrello, a former police officer.”
• “Due to budget constraints, real news clips from Cleveland during the actual events were used to enhance realism.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Detroit, Michigan, due to its architectural resemblance to 1970s Cleveland and more favorable filming conditions.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kill the Irishman?

Kill the Irishman is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible television airings. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) are also available through online retailers like Amazon and major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kill the Irishman, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): Shares a similar narrative structure of a gangster’s rise and fall, with a focus on the gritty realities of organized crime and its impact on individuals.
• Donnie Brasco (1997): Offers a compelling look inside the Mafia world through the eyes of an undercover agent, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the psychological toll of living a double life.
• American Gangster (2007): Explores a similar time period (1970s) and themes of organized crime, power struggles, and the rise of a charismatic gangster in a specific urban setting.
• State of Grace (1990): Another crime drama based around a Irish mob group with similar violence and themes.

🛒 Kill the Irishman Related Products

• To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia: The true story that inspired the movie! This book delves deep into the real-life events surrounding Danny Greene and the Cleveland mob wars, offering a more detailed and nuanced account of the era. Perfect for fans wanting the full story!
• Ray Stevenson Signed ‘Kill the Irishman’ Movie Poster: Own a piece of movie history with this autographed poster featuring Ray Stevenson! This limited edition collectible is perfect for dedicated fans of the film and collectors of movie memorabilia.
• Cleveland Mob History Tour: Explore the real-life locations where Danny Greene’s story unfolded. The tour covers key historical sites, providing insights into the events depicted in the film and the broader history of organized crime in Cleveland.
• ‘Kiss Me, I’m Irish’ T-Shirt: Rep your Irish pride with this movie-inspired tee! It’s a cool way to show you’re a fan and support the film. Perfect for casual wear!

🎧 Soundtrack

Kill the Irishman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’m Gonna Keep on Loving You” – performed by Kool Blues
• “Danny Boy” – performed by Traditional Irish Folk Song

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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