Hoffa main backdrop
Hoffa main poster

6.2/10 • 310

1992-12-252h 20m

CrimeHistory

He Did What He Had to Do.

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.

Directors
Danny DeVito
Editors
Ronald Roose

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Jack Nicholson

    Jack Nicholson

    James R. 'Jimmy' Hoffa

  2. Danny DeVito

    Danny DeVito

    Bobby Ciaro

  3. Armand Assante

    Armand Assante

    Carol D'Allesandro

  4. J.T. Walsh

    J.T. Walsh

    Frank Fitzsimmons

  5. John C. Reilly

    John C. Reilly

    Pete Connelly

  6. Natalija Nogulich

    Natalija Nogulich

    Jo Hoffa

  7. Kevin Crowley

    Kevin Crowley

    Reporter

  8. Robert Prosky

    Robert Prosky

    Billy Flynn

  9. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson

    Robert F. Kennedy

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Aug 26, 2023

7/10

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.

Media

  • Hoffa backdrop

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$35,000,000.00
Revenue
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Keywords
gangster1970strade uniondisappearancedetroit, michigan1960sjimmy hoffa