Hype: GoodFellas is considered one of the best mob movies of all time. With Martin Scorsese directing and staring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci, I can see how it has the potential to be a great film. I have seen bits and pieces of this movie, but I have yet to see the whole thing. I really look forward to seeing this film.
Initial Review: GoodFellas tells the story of Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta, and how he became one of the biggest gangsters in Brooklyn. Henry started working for the mob at the age of 15. The mob at Henry doing small deliveries at first. Soon one of the top dogs in the mob, Jimmy Conway (played by Robert De Niro), looks after Henry and teaches him everything he knows. Jimmy doesn't just train Henry, he also trains Tommy DeVito, played by Joe Pesci.
As Henry and Tommy learn more and more about how the mob functions, they start becoming top dogs around town. They get exclusive access to local clubs and restaurants. Henry goes on a double date with Tommy and meets his future wife, Karen. At first Henry and Karen don't hit it off. In fact Henry stands her up, but her feisty attitude attracts Henry even more to her. Karen is a little hesitant at first to Henry's actions. She doesn't fully agree with what he does for a living. Over time though, Karen realizes that the life of a gangster's wife isn't that bad.
Henry was the level headed one of the bunch, whereas Tommy was a hot head with a very short temper. One time while at the bar, an old friend of Tommy's starts messing around with him, so Tommy loses it and beats the man to death. Tommy even shot a young man twice for having an attitude towards him.
The movie GoodFellas does an outstanding job of showing what the life of a gangster is like. You get to see the family side of the mob. The different families are always hanging out, going on vacations , and celebrating birthdays together. They look out for each other, when someone needs something, the mob finds a way to get it done. GoodFellas also shows how the mob can destroy a family. Henry ends up cheating on Karen, forcing Karen to threaten leaving Henry, but he is always able to talk her out of it. Throughout the film, you can see how Karen at times hates being a gangsters wife. She gets worried when Henry doesn't come home at night. This movie also shows how if you get in too deep and double cross your own mob or other mobs, your life ends up being taken away.
GoodFellas was a joy to watch. You could really believe Ray Liotta as a guy who would thrive in the mob setting. And it isn't really a surprise that Robert De Niro shines as a gangster. Scorsese did a wonderful job shooting this film. He didn't make the death scenes just a bang-bang, blood bath, he slowed them down and gave them artistic look. You really feel like you are in all the places the mob goes. GoodFellas has gained a lot of critical praise throughout the past couple of years, in fact it is in AFI's Top 100 Films of All Time. GoodFellas is a must see, especially if you are a fan of the Godfather series. I highly recommend GoodFellas, it is a must see, must own film.
Repeat Viewings: N/A
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