← Back to Reviews
in
Director: Martin Scorcese
Source: Nicholas Pileggi Wise Guys
Genre: Modern Gangster
Featured Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino,
1990
Plot:
The story of Henry Hill, a real life member of one of the prominent New York City organized crime organizations, the Lucchese family. We see the film through the eyes of Henry Hill and his wife, who take turns narrating various episodes from life within the mob.
Review:
While we see the Godfather, a rival for top gangster film, through the eyes of the mob boss; we see Goodfellas from the perspective of a foot soldier. (In terms of the Godfather Henry Hill would have been under Clemenza or Tessio.) It has been said that one of the two movies is closer to real life in the mob. It seems, however, that this kind of comparison cannot really be made since each film tells the story from different perspectives.
In 1990, it was Goodfellas that excelled in almost every aspect of the film. It gave us top-notch acting, editing, screenplay,directing, soundtrack, etc. It seemed that Goodfellas had achieved everything the first Godfather movie had when it was named best picture and gained the privilege of being the best modern gangster drama up to that point. On top of that Scorcese communicated a raw energy that the Godfather lacked. It lost best film to Dances With Wolves that year at the Oscars. Goodfellas went on to win best film in BAFTA, and best director in several film festivals. This movie is highly recommended for mature audiences.(Language and violence)
Goodfellas
Source: Nicholas Pileggi Wise Guys
Genre: Modern Gangster
Featured Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino,
1990
Plot:
The story of Henry Hill, a real life member of one of the prominent New York City organized crime organizations, the Lucchese family. We see the film through the eyes of Henry Hill and his wife, who take turns narrating various episodes from life within the mob.
Review:
While we see the Godfather, a rival for top gangster film, through the eyes of the mob boss; we see Goodfellas from the perspective of a foot soldier. (In terms of the Godfather Henry Hill would have been under Clemenza or Tessio.) It has been said that one of the two movies is closer to real life in the mob. It seems, however, that this kind of comparison cannot really be made since each film tells the story from different perspectives.
In 1990, it was Goodfellas that excelled in almost every aspect of the film. It gave us top-notch acting, editing, screenplay,directing, soundtrack, etc. It seemed that Goodfellas had achieved everything the first Godfather movie had when it was named best picture and gained the privilege of being the best modern gangster drama up to that point. On top of that Scorcese communicated a raw energy that the Godfather lacked. It lost best film to Dances With Wolves that year at the Oscars. Goodfellas went on to win best film in BAFTA, and best director in several film festivals. This movie is highly recommended for mature audiences.(Language and violence)