GoodFellas (1990)

Much better the second time around...

I'll admit that when I first saw `GoodFellas' I was less than impressed. I didn't understand why so many hailed it as the best of Scorsese. In fact, the first thirty minutes or so bored me to such an extent that I turned it off and went on the watch something else.

I know now that I was an idiot.

Martin Scorsese is known for his gritty gangster films (although I much prefer his films like `Taxi Driver' and `Raging Bull') and with that in mind one must come to an appreciation for `GoodFellas', which is in all honestly Scorsese's finest gangster film. The opening sequence, with De Niro, Liotta and Pesci driving out into the woods with a body in the trunk of the car, is priceless; utterly priceless. It classically captures the ruthlessness of these men in their aspirations of power, money and most of all, respect.

`GoodFellas' tells the true story of Henry Hill, an Irish/Italian who rose up in the mafia ranks beginning in the 50's and carrying through to 1980 when he entered the witness protection program. Beginning in his early teens, Hill desired so badly to be a gangster that he found himself running small errands for mob boss Paul Cicero, getting in his good graces. By the time he was twenty-one Hill had made a good name for himself in the mob community and continued to make money for himself and for his boss, Paulie. Hill meets and marries the beautiful Karen and begins to build a life for his newfound family that revolves around murder, extortion and drugs.

But what goes up must come down.

`GoodFellas' takes a little time to establish itself in the beginning (thus the reason that I wrote it off all those years ago when I first saw it) but once it finds its footing it takes off brilliantly. I often see `GoodFellas' compared to `Casino', the large majority standing by `GoodFellas' as the superior film and yet a small yet sturdy group contesting that `Casino' is the finer film. I used to belong to the `Casino' club, but after a recent viewing of both films I must conclude that `GoodFellas' is the stronger film in the end. `Casino' is set up similarly yet it doesn't take as long to get into, and I think that's why I was initially on its side. It flows from beginning to end without any low points but it also doesn't have really any major highs. While `GoodFellas' gets off to a slow start, once it gets going it is flawless and its highs are enormously rewarding.

The one facet of `GoodFellas' that is the strongest to me is the incredible performances by the entire cast, especially the four stars. Ray Liotta delivers his finest performance to date as Henry Hill. I am not a huge fan of Liotta, but his portrayal of wiseguy Hill is flawlessly accurate and dedicated. He's matched by Robert De Niro who beautifully settles into supporting territory as Jimmy Conway. It's nice to see a major star like De Niro allow another actor to take the limelight when you know that he could have easily devoured it for himself. The two major standouts here are Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco though, two actors who come into their own in this film and deliver heartfelt and moving performances. Pesci plays Tommy, the hotheaded gangster who often lets his anger override better judgment. His performance is so natural and charismatic it feels as though he isn't even acting. Bracco plays Karen, Hill's wife, and she does so with accurate and realistic intensity. As she struggles to wrap her head around her husband's lifestyle, the drugs, money and women, she creates a woman who is understandable and sympathetic.

Scorsese knows how to capture a mood, an era and most importantly, our interest. He has delivered to us monumental classics and `GoodFellas' rests near the top as one of his finest contributions to American cinema. `GoodFellas' is a smart and engaging film about the highs and lows of the gritty way of life, exposing the emotional and physical damage done to those that engage in this lifestyle. If you find the opening scenes hard to get into I urge you to settle down, take a deep breath and wait it out, for once Scorsese hooks you he never lets you go. June 24, 2008

Not Very Goodfellas

This movie fails where others succeed. I know that lots of people think that this is one of Martin Scorcese's best films of all time, but they are just dead wrong. It is about three friends who work in the mob and eventually they all do horrible, horrible things to one another.

To begin with, this movie is obviously a work of fiction because who would believe that someone like Robert DeNiro could be a gangster? If you've ever seen him in Stanley & Iris, you know that he is much more believable as a good man who just wants to read with Jane Fonda. Also, Joe Pesci is really great as the short mafiaman in this movie.

This kind of movie is definitely not Martin Scorcese's forte, and even if someone like George Lucas (awesome director) were to do it, it wouldn't be much better because the story doesn't make sense. Why do these three friends decide to do mob violence all the time? Do you think they would really talk with such foul mouths too ("f" this and "f" that)??? I love My Cousin Vinny, and I don't believe Joe Pesci had to say any bad words to make that movie hilarious.

Basically this movie is like a reality TV show that you would turn off quickly because there's nothing interesting about it. And the three friends in the movie also do drugs, which I am against.

I think this film would be good for carpenters and other tradesmen, because they probably like this kind of thing. For the rest of us, it's for the birds!!!! If you see it, you will blame yourself forever, and that's not being fair to the you inside.

Maybe next time, Martin Scorcese. Maybe next time. June 18, 2008

perfect

This item came ontime and was in perfect condition. Just the way it should be June 2, 2008

Superb

I'll keep this short and simple:

The Godfather is the best MAFIA movie ever.
Goodfellas is the best MOB movie ever. Period. May 31, 2008

Mafia Collection

This is definately one to add to the collection. Its a classic that ranks up with the Godfather Trilogy May 17, 2008

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