| The critically acclaimed 'Goodfellas' is possibly Scorsese's best ever movie - sentiments echosed by both movie fans and critics alike, Being Scorsese's best film, 'GoodFellas' is one of the best mob movies ever |
| Goodfellas is, as we learn at the very beginning, based on a true story. Developing the screenplay's skeleton from the events related in the novel 'Wiseguy' by Nicholas Pileggi who co-wrote the script, Scorsese has used the facts from an infamous '80s case involving an important mob informant to develop a rich and multi-layered study of three characters and the culture that shaped their lives. |
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"Whatta you
mean I'm funny?... Funny how, am I a clown, do I amuse you?"
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Tommy
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Henry
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"He's a goodfella.
He's one of us,You understand? We were goodfellas, wiseguys"
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"As far back
as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster"
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Henry
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| WHAT'S IT ABOUT? |
| We are introduced to the 13 year old Henry Hill (played by Christopher Serrone, and by Ray Liotta as an adult) who is growing up in New York City in the 1950s. He is eager to become a member of the mob - he sees these men with everything....friends, girls, cash, cars and above all....respect. Henry soon makes his first step on the mob ladder and becomes a gofer for the local neighbourhood boss (played by Paul Sorvino) |
| We follow Henry through his rise in status over the next 20 years and take a closer look at his two closest friends, Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). The 3 friends become involved in drug dealing which is frowned upon by mob bosses. Henry, now married to long suffering wife Karen (Lorraine Bracco), starts to lead a more reckless lifestyle which puts a strain on his marriage, his friendships and most of all, his alliances within the mob. |
| Henry is also faced with a term in prison and on his release realises that he can no longer trust anyone. |
| Henry was brought up on two main principals - never rat on your friends and keep your mouth shut - two principals he may be forced to violate in order to save his own life. |
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Jimmy
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"Look at me...Never rat on
your friends...and always keep your mouth shut"
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"he handed me a gun and asked
me to hide it...kind-a turned me on"
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Karen
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Jimmy
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"Jimmy
was the kind of guy that rooted for bad guys in the movies"
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| 'Goodfellas' is available on DVD or VHS at www.amazon.co.uk |
