GoodFellas | Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta | Much better the second time around...

GoodFellas | Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta | Superb

DVDs:

GoodFellas

	GoodFellas Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta Warner Home Video, 1997 average customer review:based on 633 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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.

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Superb

I'll keep this short and simple:

The Godfather is the best MAFIA movie ever.
Goodfellas is the best MOB movie ever. Period.

perfect

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

Sometimes, you just gotta be a little Crooked.

I've probably seen this movie about five times.

Every time, it gets better and to this day, Goodfellas still reigns as my favorite movie of all time. I've seen quite a bit of movies as well!

First of all, I love Henry's character. Great story. Hardworking kid works his way up and eventually lands with the top dogs Pauly, Jimmy, & Tommy.

As the viewer, we're taken into quite an intense, sometimes laughable, & surreal ride. I loved it when Henry and Jimmy simply rob a truck driver at gun point. The robbery seemed oh too easy. Who knew this type of stuff happens?

I love this movie because it's so beautifully shot and told. I love this movie because of the unique and believable characters. I love this movie because it teaches us something in life: Ya can't always do things the cleanest of ways...

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