Synopsis:

Based upon the life of a mafia workhorse, Goodfellas tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta).  As a boy, Henry watched the cabstand from his bedroom window every night, watching the local wise guys come, go and hang out.  He dreamt of a day when he could fit in with them the way they seemed to fit with one another.  They commanded respect from the neighborhood, they didn't have any trouble with anything and when they did it was dealt with quickly.  The life they led was one that Henry wanted.  Teaming with Jimmy (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy (Joe Pesci), Henry ascends quickly into a lead position with a dominant family in the New Jersey area.  Drugs, prison, infidelity and secrecy are always lingering in that lifestyle and sooner or later they catch up with everyone.

The Freak's Rating: A+ : On the DVD/Blu Ray case for Goodfellas, one of Roger Ebert's boldest statements is proudly displayed, "Best mob movie...ever".  Ebert said this line in 1990 when reviewing the film and caught hell from fellow critics for denouncing the holy grail of mafia films, The Godfather.  I was on Ebert's page in 1990 and I'm still with him.  The Godfather holds a special place in my heart and is right up there near the top of my list, but if I could only choose one mafia film...it would be Goodfellas.  It is one of the greatest films ever made.

In the spring of 1991, I was positioned in front of my television watching the Academy Awards.  Though I had seen and enjoyed Dances With Wolves, I had snuck into a theater to see Goodfellas and was certain it was the better picture.  It turns out years later that my thoughts in 1991 were the same as I would have as an adult.  Having a much more public-friendly plotline and cast, Dances With Wolves swept the oscars that year, leaving yet another year where Scorsese wouldn't win his much-deserved gold.  Finally winning years later for The Departed (a far lesser picture), he was recognized publicly for being the quality director that we all knew he was.

Goodfellas should be reference material for anyone playing a mafia role.  Paul Sorvino does a solid turn as family head Paulie, coming off as a well intentioned father figure to all underlings.  Robert DeNiro and Ray Liotta are both well rounded in their roles as Jimmy and Henry.  Then there is the coming out party for Joe Pesci that the role of Tommy provided.  Pesci, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990, is stellar as Tommy.  He provides a performance that is referenced as one of the fearfully strongest roles in film history.  Making an audience respect, fear and love a character is tough, and Pesci pulls it off.  He has some of the funniest and harshest scenes in the film, a task many actors can't pull off successfully. 

Told in a narrative style, Goodfellas is a brilliant piece of filmmaking.  Typical Scorsese style of quick zooms, smart angles and good framing are apparent in the cinematography.  Realizing the importance of a wonderful soundtrack, Scorsese compiled a brilliant track list for Goodfellas.  Direction, writing, soundtrack and acting make Goodfellas one of the best films I've ever seen.

Angie's Rating: A+ : Diddo.  Great film.

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