Hoffa (1992) * * *

 

Directed by:  Danny DeVito

Starring:  Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, J.T. Walsh, Kevin Anderson, Armand Assante, Frank Whaley

Danny DeVito's Hoffa tells the story of the labor leader whose mysterious disappearance has overshadowed his already controversial public life.    His rise to power in the Teamsters Union, his feud with Robert Kennedy, his ouster from the union following his prison sentence, and his ruffling the mob's feathers while trying to regain his power with the Teamsters are all documented in Hoffa.   But the July 30, 1975 disappearance and murder of Jimmy Hoffa is at the center of the movie.   By this time, the polarizing Hoffa has no friends left except for his loyal right-hand man Bobby Ciaro (DeVito) and he is awaiting a meeting with a mob boss which will never happen.   Does he know this might be the end?  

Hoffa stars Jack Nicholson in the title role and it isn't stunt casting or throwing a big Hollywood legend into the role.   Nicholson looks a little like Hoffa, but captures the anger which propels him into a line of work which incites rage and violence in others.   Jimmy Hoffa has a wife and children and they are seen in the background, or in the case of his wife on his arm during certain events, but make no mistake...the Teamsters Union is his first love to the point of obsession.

The man Hoffa is seen through Bobby's loyal eyes.   Jimmy meets Bobby on his truck many years ago while Bobby is running an all-night route.   Jimmy pitches Bobby to join the Teamsters.   He knows the trucking business because he used to be a trucker.   No rest, trouble staying awake, no pay for down time or dead head.  Bobby is fearful to join because he may lose his job.  He loses the job anyway, but becomes Jimmy's trusted sidekick for the rest of his life.   Bobby doesn't have much of a story of his own except to serve at Hoffa's side.

DeVito as director keeps Hoffa moving at a swift pace.   We don't see many Hoffa dimensions because there may not be many to show us.   Hoffa isn't interested in Jimmy's personal life.   The movie could've proceeded without a mention of his family and many wouldn't know the difference.   Hoffa nonetheless takes on the form of tragedy.   Even if we knew nothing of his disappearance, you can tell the brash, impatient, angry Teamsters leader is headed for a fall.   What happened on July 30, 1975 is a sum of Hoffa's past catching up with him.