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

GoodFellas | Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta | Mafia Collection

DVDs:

GoodFellas

	GoodFellas Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta Warner Home Video, 1997 average customer review:based on 631 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

When Martin Scorsese, one of the world's most skillful and respected directors, reunited with two-time Oscar-winner Robert De Niro in GoodFellas, the result was one of the most powerful films of the year. Based on the true-life best seller Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and backed by a dynamic pop/rock oldies soundtrack, critics and filmgoers alike declared GoodFellas great. It was named 1990's best film by the New York, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics. And it earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Robert De Niro received wide recognition for his performance as veteran criminal Jimmy "The Gent" Conway. And as the volatile Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci walked off with the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Academy Award nominee Lorraine Bracco, Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino also turned in electrifying performances. You have to see it to believe it - then watch it again. GoodFellas explores the criminal life like no other movie.

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Production Notes
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer:Two theatrical trailers

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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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Mafia Collection

This is definately one to add to the collection. Its a classic that ranks up with the Godfather Trilogy

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