GoodFellas (1990)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenplay: Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi (based on the book Wiseguy by Pileggi)
Cast: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Time: 140 minutes
Bottom-line: Violent, stylish and superbly act and shot, GoodFellas is a first-rate gangster drama

For my 150th review, I choose the film, GoodFellas, often considered by many as one of the greatest films ever made, by the director, and in general. Veteran director Martin Scorsese takes his viewers through three decades of mafia life in this 140 minute film, and by the end of it I felt that this is as good a gangster film you will ever come across. GoodFellas stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci in the lead roles, with Paul Sorvino and Lorraine Bracco in the supporting roles.

Ray Liotta as Henry Hill

1955, Brooklyn – “As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster. To me, being a gangster was better than being President of the United States”, says Henry Hill (Liotta). You have probably read this line in every review of this film written so far, and the reason is, I think, is because that’s exactly what the film is about – is being in the mafia really that great? Through Henry’s eyes, we get to experience the mafia life for nearly three decades, from 1955 to 1981. At a young age, he starts working for the local mob capo, Paulie (Sorvino). His mentor is James “Jimmy” Conway (De Niro), whose associate is Tommy DeVito (Pesci), a man with a temper that can make him go mad. The story explores their initial successes, their ups and downs, and decay.

GoodFellas, I felt, is more of a case study about the mafia. The reason it is accurate is probably because it is based on the true story of Henry Hill, who narrated his story to Pileggi, who eventually wrote the book that formed the basis for the film. The reason the film seems authentic in terms of characters, dialogues and screenplay is because Scorsese gave the actors freedom to improvise. In fact, Joe Pesci even directed one sequence from the film, where he scares Henry with his famous line, “I mean funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you?”

Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway

Ray Liotta has given a magnificent performance, and he seems best suited for the role. I liked his acting especially towards the end, where his world comes crashing down and he is finally arrested by the cops. This is the first time I am watching De Niro in a Scorsese film, and I admit I loved his acting too. He is a mentor for Hill, a gangster, a hijacker and (as we see later) a ruthless murderer, and the way De Niro changes his method of acting to bring authenticity into all the different types of characters is amazing. But the most memorable (I wouldn’t say “best”) character is Tommy DeVito, played by Pesci. His performance as the humorous, aggressive and unimaginable crazy DeVito is a class apart – and the Oscar was rightly given to him as well. The same guy who made you laugh in the Home Alone series by making a fool of himself now shocks you with his aggression and violent attitude. Lorraine Bracco’s acting was impressive as well, and she deserved an Oscar nomination.

Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito

Though there is no real story as such, the film basically tells how the mafia life actually is. Initially we see their power, indicated by this line said by Hill: “If we wanted something, we just took it. If anyone complained twice they got hit so bad, believe me, they never complained again.” And of course, there’s the other side of the coin: “For most of the guys, killing's got to be accepted. Murder was the only way that everybody stayed in line. Shooting people was a normal thing. It was no big deal.” We see how Hill, Conway and Tommy make money by performing heists, how they murder a “made man” and put themselves in danger, how they manage to stay afloat, and finally, what they do when they reach a stage where only betrayal and murder prevail. It is ironic how Conway’s first advice to Hill is, “Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut,” and in the end Hill is the one who gives the others away.

Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill

I may have given written about many parts of the story that occur in the second half and towards the end, but to me, there are no major twists in the film, like maybe Shutter Island or The Departed. GoodFellas should be viewed for its sharp, stylish and realistic portrayal of the rise and fall of three gangsters in a span of three decades. Filled with outstanding performances by all the leads, Joe Pesci in particular, some memorable dialogues (and of course, the swear words!), superb camera work (including many long shots, quick cuts and freeze frames), GoodFellas is one of the best films by Martin Scorsese, and is a classic in the gangster genre.

My Rating: 4.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96%