Netflix‘s The Irishman has enjoyed positive reviews but some have expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that its most notable female character (played by Anna Paquin) has just about six words in just 10 minutes of screen time, prompting lead actor Robert De Niro to come to the defense of director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Steven Zaillian.
Anna Paquin played Peggy, the first daughter of Frank Sheeran (De Niro) whose distaste for her father’s lifestyle creates a barrier between them.
Some people who have seen the film are questioning why an actress of such talent should be underused in such manner, and De Niro stated that it was the choice of the director and screenwriter to minimize her words.
He said: “She was very powerful and that’s what it was. Maybe in other scenes, there could have been some interaction between Frank and her possibly, but that’s how it was done. She’s terrific and it resonates.”
Anna Paquin herself also spoke on the issue, saying that it was privilege being part of the cast and that she was proud to have been a part of the movie.
Nope, nobody was doing any “ordering”. I auditioned for the privilege of joining the incredible cast of .@TheIrishmanFilm and I’m incredibly proud to get to be a part of this film. https://t.co/yx54jE4ugy
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) November 9, 2019
