Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book wiseguy, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is a wry,
violent, and exhilarating film about the life of Henry Hill (Liotta), an aspiring criminal who ends up in the
FBI’s witness protection program after testifying against his former partners. As a poor
Irish-Italian growing up in 1950s New York City, Hill rises through the ranks of his Brooklyn
neighborhood's organized crime branch, and with money from the mob he begins living the good
life, complete with a beautiful bride, Karen (Lorraine Brocco), a fancy home, and the best seats at
the most exclusive restaurants. A botched robbery lands Henry in prison for a brief period of time,
and when he gets released, his reckless infidelities and drug abuse damage his associations with his
adopted family.
Scorsese’s film is a visual and sonic onslaught, featuring a brilliant pop-music soundtrack and
stunning camera work--including the infamous Steadicam one-take that introduces the audience to
the Copacabana’s patrons. He uses the songs to infuse a rhythm into every scene that is at once
breathtaking and invigorating. As the psychopathic Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci delivers an
unforgettable performance that is alarming in its cold-blooded callousness, helping to cement
Goodfellas’ place as a classic portrait of life in the mob.
Directed by Martin Scorsese - Rated R
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