#92: GoodFellas (1990)

Oscar Winner: Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci)

When I think of the best directors in movie history, Martin Scorsese is always at the top of that list. He’s had some so-so films here and there, but it’s not from a lack of talent. As an avid film lover and historian, you know his heart is poured out into every film, so you always forgive his missteps and wait for his new one to release. He always seems to be at his best when it comes to gangster films and GoodFellas is no exception. It acts as the pinnacle of Scorsese’s style, preciseness and vision.

GoodFellas is the classic rise-and-fall story of the real-life gangster, Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta. The movie follows him and his two pals, Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy De Vito (Joe Pesci) as they climb the ranks of the New York mafia ladder in the 60’s and 70’s. As their fame and prestige grow, so do the murders, as they continue to adapt to the ever-changing climate of their trade.

Like other gangster films before it, GoodFellas gives you an in-depth look at how the mob operates. What makes it different is that its fast pace perfectly reflects the graphic violence and whirlwind nature of the lifestyle. Every scene and moment moves with a quick pulse, yet each one is truly memorable and builds upon the next. Having the knowledge that everything is based on a true story (Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi) adds to the shock of it all, but like no other film, you feel like you are getting an insiders peak that not even a documentary film could cover. Scorsese is the master of being innovative with his camera movement, use of soundtrack, and editing technique. With every swoop and cut, more and more depth is added to the characters.

Along with being a perfect movie technically, the acting is super. Joe Pesci has always been great at playing characters with a ferocious short-man syndrome, but here he plays a character so out of control that you get nervous anytime he appears in a scene. Robert De Niro’s character isn’t as up front as you would expect, but his acting chops shine through in his subtle nature of knowing that he’s not the main character in the film. Also, I think it’s a shame that Ray Liotta doesn’t get more credit for his role here. He’s likable and charming, yet provides the dangerous qualities that is needed for his tragic nature. In particular, I marveled at how well he did the voice-over narration, which is wound throughout the film so much, that with one bad inflection, it could’ve derailed the film.

I could go on and on about how well made the film is, but at the heart of it all is that it’s just flat out entertaining. It’s funny, suspenseful, dramatic… all the elements that make up a great movie. It’s crazy that at the time, Scorsese didn’t win the Oscar for directing or for best picture. Dances With Wolves pretty much stole everything that year, but Scorsese was finally awarded the statues for The Departed, which is great as well, but not nearly as good as this film. Perhaps the Academy was making up for past mistakes.

GoodFellas has always been a favorite of mine that I can watch over and over and not get tired of it. In short, it’s a perfect film. I give it 5 out of 5 pistol whips.