Armand Assante, Danny DeVito, Frank Whaley

A titanic performance by Jack Nicholson powers this fact-and-fiction biography of Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa. From the opening moment--Hoffa sitting alone in the back of a car--Nicholson's perfor...( read more  read more... )mance is one of his best, and a rare role as a historical person. The sweeping all-American story of a common worker who reaches the highest pinnacle in the world's most powerful union is sweepingly told with wondrous detail, in wardrobe, sets, and trucks. The better-documented facts of Hoffa's life, including his struggle against Attorney General Bobby Kennedy (Kevin Anderson), supply the backbone of the story. But the hope of what the Teamsters are to the American Dream is what makes the film glow (swept along by David Newman's score). The screenplay by David Mamet takes two wild and entertaining divergences from fact. The first is the character of Hoffa's ubiquitous sidekick Bobby Ciaro, played by the film's director, Danny DeVito. It's a fictitious role, a composite character that allows the story to be clearly told, as does the second--Mamet's explanation of Hoffa's famous disappearance. --Doug Thomas

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61% liked it

7,508 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

19 critics

R, 140 min.

Directed by: Danny DeVito

Release Date: December 25, 1992

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DVD Release Date: January 27, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (300)


  • August 30, 2009
    I really liked this film, the performances were good but Devito stole the show 4 me.
  • December 23, 2008
    "One day your gonna be president of the United States, Jim
    - Fuck that. One day I'll be president of the Teamsters."

    Jimmy Hoffa is a historical person I really don't know much about. I saw this only because of Jack Nicholson. Now after this, I've seen every movie he has ever be...( read more)en in. Nicholson does a powerful performance of the mysteriously disappeared union leader.

    David Mamet is a talented screenwriter. His version of this working class hero and his life may not be historically accurate but Danny DeVito's best directorial effort is still entertaining.

    "Never let a stranger in your cab, in your house or in your heart... unless he is a friend of labor."
  • April 14, 2007
    Well made movie but I could do without the violence
  • June 2, 2008
    See this for Jack's astonishing performance if nothing else..he's dead on for Hoffa, and this drama portrays a side of Hoffa not often told...fine supporting cast, able direction and tight script....it will keep the viewer nvolved til lthe very end.
  • May 15, 2007
    Sometimes brilliant, sometimes really boring.
  • June 17, 2009
    i had to watch this
    movie in school it
    was good i like it.
    i kmow that not
    saying much
    because most
    movie they
    make you
    watch school
    are bad.
  • May 16, 2009
    i've watched it on laser. but i can't remember it. so... wanna see it
  • April 21, 2009
    Not one of his best, but it was a good flick. Will we ever know what happen to Jimmy Hoffa? Worth one look...
  • January 5, 2009
    this is a very good movie where as it shows hoffa at his worst at times as it gives the viewer an inside view of what a teacher ment when she said that complete power leads to complete abuse of that power that is given ... this movie would be in my collection if i could find it u...( read more)p here in this area
  • January 2, 2009
    Kind of slow and uneventful at first, but the complex statements of American life that surrounds Jimmy Hoffa makes this movie watchable. The story is told through memories of Jimmy Hoffa and his accomplice (Dnny De Vito) throughout the movie while they are calmly waiting in a lim...( read more)o outside a small town diner. Precise acting and exciting ending.

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Hoffa Trivia


  • In Bruce Almighty, What is the name of the man who is found buried out side of the canine training centre?  Answer »
  • Who is the director of 'HOFFA' (1992)  Answer »
  • Which of those characters wasn't played by Warren Beatty?  Answer »
  • We're actors, long-time friends, who co-starred in "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Goin' South", "Hoffa" and have each played a Batman villain. Who are we?  Answer »

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