The gangster movie genre is one that will never tire, and this is reflected in the enduring love people have for one film, despite its release being almost 40 years ago. Goodfellas is a biographical gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese, and produced by Irwin Winkler. It is an adaptation of Pileggi’s 1985 nonfiction book Wiseguy.
Its cast includes Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. The film takes you on a wild ride as tensions increase when charismatic gangster fanboy Henry Hill (Liotta) takes cocaine and begins being reckless. Its unique styling, which seamlessly blends one scene into the next, means you can’t take your eyes off it.
The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, with Pesci winning Best Supporting Actor. It won five awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, including Best Film and Best Director, and was named the year’s best film by various critics’ groups. Goodfellas has widely been regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, particularly in the gangster genre.
The gangster thriller is a cinematic masterpiece that premiered at the 47th Venice International Film Festival, where Scorsese was awarded the Silver Lion award for Best Director.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Henry Hill, a poor Irish-Italian growing up in 1950s New York City, rises through the ranks of his neighbourhood’s organised crime branch; he ends up in the FBI’s witness protection program after testifying against his former partners.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, Goodfellas receives an impressive 93% rating from critics.
The critical consensus states: “Hard-hitting and stylish, GoodFellas is a gangster classic – and arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese’s career.”
One audience reviewer said: “Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is widely regarded as one of the greatest mob movies ever made, and after revisiting it, it’s easy to see why. Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco, this film dives deep into the rise and fall of Henry Hill, offering a raw, stylish, and unforgettable look at life inside the mafia. From the opening moments, Scorsese sets the tone with his trademark fast-paced direction, sharp editing, and a killer soundtrack that perfectly captures the era.”
Another described it as a “masterpiece”, adding: “What a brilliant, unhinged, driven masterpiece. The pacing of this film is beautiful and never gets old, even with its longer runtime. Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci are an absolute masterclass of gangsters portrayed by actors.”
On a Reddit thread titled “Goodfellas or The Godfather”, a debate that has been going on since Goodfellas was released, one user wrote: “Goodfellas is the better gangster movie”.
Goodfellas is available to watch now on Amazon Prime.
