The brutal opening sequence instantly sets the tone for Martin Scorsese’s 1990 mob movie classic “Goodfellas.” As we witness an ambiguous and bloody murder, a voice over from one of the culprits calmly says it all; “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.”
Based on the 1986 Nicholas Pileggi novel ‘Wiseguy,’ “Goodfellas” follows the real life story of Lucchese family footsoldier Henry Hill. Spanning nearly three decades in time, the story follows a young Hill growing up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York and his infatuation and eventual employment at the hands of a local Italian-American crime syndicate.
Actor Ray Liotta made his career in the lead role of Henry Hill – and raises the bar of perfection to the next level. As Henry Hill, Liotta dives into the soul of a real life character who willfully exchanged the humdrum and simple life of a first generation immigrant for the excitement and perils of a life in organized crime, rubbing noses with some of America’s all time most notorious criminal figures in the process.
Scorsese displays the story in a remarkable fashion. Beginning with young Henry growing up, and his first interactions with mob boss Paul Cicero (Paul Sorvino), to his heyday as a hard nosed and violent gangster. Young Henry pines openly to become somebody in a neighborhood full of nobody’s, and does just that as simple and safe robberies eventually escalate to violent and carefree murders.
Liotta narrates the story independently until midway through when the narration then becomes a rotation between he and Lorraine Bracco, who joins in as Hill’s girlfriend and then wife, Karen. Hill is seen juggling the typical struggles of a relationship with Karen and his brutal job working for the Cicero clan. Bracco serves as a perfect counter punch in her reactions with Liotta.
Nominated for six Academy Awards (and shockingly only winning one), “Goodfellas” is a perfect representation of mob life in 1960s and 1970s New York. Liotta is joined at the helm by Robert De Niro (one of my all time favorite actors) in the role of James Conway, a smooth talking and paranoid professional criminal, and by Joe Pesci who would win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor with his unforgettable role of hot tempered and cold blooded killer Tommy DeVito.
Crooning over the story is a perfect hodgepodge of sounds, with the standard music of era greats like Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, and Dean Martin. The sounds emulate the Italian subculture and blend it with the atmosphere of the mid-twentieth century. You’ll find yourself right in the middle of a Brooklyn neighborhood as it appeared two generations ago.
Scorsese masters the art of the long shot in the movie with multiple scenes done in such outstanding fashion you’ll marvel at the brilliance. One of my favorite scenes in any movie consists of Henry taking Karen on their first date.
The camera follows the couple from behind as they bypass a long line and enter a club through the kitchen before being personally seated at the from of the stage by the manager. The cinematography is simply brilliant as Karen gets her first taste of the fear and power enjoyed by Henry.
Story and violence aside, “Goodfellas” becomes a staple of perfection with its sharp and natural dialogue, all delivered by the star filled cast in flawless form.
Pesci flirts with perfection in his role of the psychotic Tommy (based on real life gangster Thomas DeSimone). One of the most memorable scenes in movie history depict Tommy verbally attacking Henry with the infamous and often quoted “What do you mean I’m funny?” The scene was completely ad-libbed by Pesci and wisely retained by Scosese. It goes down as one of the most popular scenes in cinema history.
Other great Italian character actors join the cast and make the atmosphere perfect; Frank Sivero, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, and Tony Lip to name a few – with the latter three going on to fame with the HBO hit series “The Sopranos.”
One of my favorite villainous actors of all time, the great Frank Vincent, also makes a memorable appearance as mobster/insulter Billy Batts.
“Goodfellas” was my first foray into mob movies and it goes down as one of my all time favorite films. The characters are brilliant and the true to life story gripping from start to finish.
Its a must own movie and one that’s impossible not to cherish.
When it’s over, you’ll certainly echo Henry’s opening line and desire to be a gangster.
by – Matt Christopher
