GoodFellas (1990)
8.451 /10
14690 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.
Videos & Photos
cast
... James Conway
... Henry Hill
... Tommy DeVito
... Karen Hill
... Paul Cicero
User reviews
In a world that's powered by violence, on the streets where the violent have power, a new generation carries on an old tradition.
Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is without question one of the finest gangster movies ever made, a benchmark even. It’s that rare occasion for a genre film of this type where everything artistically comes together as one. Direction, script, editing, photography, driving soundtrack and crucially an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. It’s grade “A” film making that marked a return to form for Scorsese whilst simultaneously showing the director at the summit of his directing abilities.
The story itself, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction book Wiseguy, pulls absolutely no punches in its stark realisation of the Mafia lifestyle. It’s often brutal, yet funny, unflinching yet stylish, but ultimately from first frame to last it holds the attention, toying with all the human emotions during the journey, tingling the senses of those who were by 1990 fed up of popcorn movie fodder.
It’s not romanticism here, if anything it’s a debunking of the Mafia myth, but even as the blood flows and the dialogue crackles with electricity, it always remains icy cool, brought to us by a man who had is eyes and ears open while growing up in Queens, New York in the 40s and 50s. Eccellente! 9/10
Director:
Release Date:
1990-09-12
Run Time:
145 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
GoodFellas
In a world that's powered by violence, on the streets where the violent have power, a new generation carries on an old tradition.
Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is without question one of the finest gangster movies ever made, a benchmark even. It’s that rare occasion for a genre film of this type where everything artistically comes together as one. Direction, script, editing, photography, driving soundtrack and crucially an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. It’s grade “A” film making that marked a return to form for Scorsese whilst simultaneously showing the director at the summit of his directing abilities.
The story itself, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction book Wiseguy, pulls absolutely no punches in its stark realisation of the Mafia lifestyle. It’s often brutal, yet funny, unflinching yet stylish, but ultimately from first frame to last it holds the attention, toying with all the human emotions during the journey, tingling the senses of those who were by 1990 fed up of popcorn movie fodder.
It’s not romanticism here, if anything it’s a debunking of the Mafia myth, but even as the blood flows and the dialogue crackles with electricity, it always remains icy cool, brought to us by a man who had is eyes and ears open while growing up in Queens, New York in the 40s and 50s. Eccellente! 9/10
Martin Scorsese (director) always loves details in crime films, but he is not primarily interested in the crime itself. That is why his films are always produced with details that you may see as unimportant to you, especially if you want to see the movie for the purpose of seeing scenes of theft, murder, and so on, but you see the opposite. Somewhat other details are visible on the scene mostly
The film talks about liberation, stereotypes, and entering a new world for humanity. It was Ray Liotta (Henry). He wanted, as I said, to break free from stereotypes and enter the world of gangs.
Martin Scorsese (the director) filmed this unfamiliar life and directed it in the form of a film similar to documentaries because he filmed it as if it were a real, realistic life. That is why the presence of Voice Over was important in order to give you the feeling that there is a person sitting next to you telling you the story while whispering in your ear as it happens in the movies documentaries.
Ray Liotta is superb here as "Henry Hill", a man whom ever since he was young has been captivated by the mob. He starts off as a runner and before too long has ingratiated himself with the local fraternity lead by "Paulie" (Paul Sorvino) and is best mates with fellow hoods, the enigmatic and devious "Jimmy" (Robert De Niro) and the excellently vile "Tommy" (Joe Pesci). They put together an audacious robbery at JFK and are soon the talk of the town, but the latter in the trio is a bit of a live-wire and when he goes just a bit too far one night, the three of them find that their really quite idyllic lives of extortion and larceny start to go awry - and it's their own who are on their tracks. Scorsese takes him time with this story: the development of the characters - their personalities, trust, inter-reliance, sometimes divided, fractured, loyalties and ruthlessness and are built up in a thoroughly convincing fashion. We can, ourselves, see the obvious attractions for the young "Henry" of a life so very far removed from his working class Irish-Italian background - the wine, the women, the thrills; it's tantalising! If anything let's it down it's the last half hour; it's just a little too predictable and having spent so long building up the characters, we seem to be in just a bit too much of a rush; but that is a nit-pick. It's not the "Godfather" but it is not far short.
A really good film. i loved it!
The Goodfellas is an absolute masterpiece in every sense. Martin Scorsese delivers a raw, unflinching look into the world of organized crime that’s as captivating as it is brutal. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci shine, each bringing unforgettable depth and intensity to their roles—especially Pesci, whose portrayal of Tommy DeVito is both terrifying and fascinating. The storytelling is flawless, pulling you in with a mix of dark humor, sharp dialogue, and iconic scenes that stay with you long after the credits roll. Add in the perfect soundtrack, and it’s no wonder this film is considered a classic. The Goodfellas isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience that I can watch over and over again.
I enjoyed the film. Especially the character of Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro.
Great Film!!
Martin Scorsese was at his best when he made GoodFellas. It received five Oscar nominations and a winner for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci. It's speechless for how great this movie was and it still is. GoodFellas is a fantastic crime drama and it's impeccably done throughout. The story is based on a true story ad it's taken place from 1955 to 1980. It tells a story about Henry Hill played by Ray Liotta narrating about his life as a gangster. Lorraine Bracco sometimes narrates as Karen Hill, aside from that, Ray Liotta does all the narrating. It's in the book. It's in the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi called Wiseguy. Of course, everyone knows the scene where Henry tells Tommy that he is funny cause the way he tells stories and Tommy says "What do you mean I'm funny?" "Funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?" This is a famous scene for Joe Pesci as his acting is incredible. As far as this film goes, this is a perfect film for everyone who is a huge fan of Martin Scorsese. It has a great story that is so true, fantastic Oscar winning acting by everyone who played great characters and best direction from Martin Scorsese. It's everyone's favourite film of all time and considered one of the greatest films of all time. Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut.
The film pulsates with a raw, kinetic energy that few crime dramas ever capture and even fewer sustain. From the slick suits and the endless slang to the sense of dangerous privilege, the world at the centre of the story is seductive, loud and chaotic. But beneath that surface glitz is a quieter, creeping rot—friendships fraying, rules being broken, loyalty turning into self-interest.
The direction is confident and ruthless. Scenes of violence erupt almost as glibly as jokes, glamour flips into terror with no pause. The camera virtually breathes with the characters, pulling us into their atmosphere of exclusion and belonging, bravado and fear. And yes, the performances are razor sharp when the façade cracks, you feel the damage.
What stands out most is how the movie makes you like people you shouldn’t like, and even root for them, for a moment. Then it reminds you why you shouldn’t. That tension between identification and recoil is the film’s heart. It doesn’t moralise so much as it observes the glamour and the cost, sometimes simultaneously.
If there’s a caveat, it’s that the film doesn’t walk you neatly to redemption. The climax doesn’t feel like a tidy payoff but rather a slow unravelling, where the narrative tension loosens into regret and routine. Some viewers find that unsettling; you expect a grand statement, and instead get fractured silence.
In closing:- this is a bold, unflinching look at power, loyalty, decay—and the seductive danger of a life built on impulse and advantage. It stands as a towering piece of filmmaking.
"Goodfellas" really only takes a small ration of incidents from Henry Hill's life of crime and proceeds to weave the story from this. What unfolds is an absolutely compelling film which is a superior motion picture on every level that paints a quite frankly deeply unappetising portrait of three decades of life in the mafia which initially appears to be glamorous and it undoubtedly provides unlimited and substantial rewards. However, this film amply illustrates that once you scratch the surface you find the lucrative lives they are leading has a chillingly sinister underbelly. Martin Scorsese excells superbly in the director's chair as he has done throughout his entire career. He is one of the true modern day masters of his craft and certainly on this occasion he literally re-invents what a motion picture about the mafia can be by delivering what is essentially a commanding directorial display which never gets in the way of the gripping and brilliantly crafted story.
Cast & Crew of
GoodFellas
Cast
... James Conway
... Henry Hill
... Tommy DeVito
... Karen Hill
... Paul Cicero
... Frankie Carbone
... Sonny Bunz
... Frenchy
... Billy Batts
... Morris Kessler
... Tuddy Cicero
... Henny Youngman
... Janice Rossi
... Tommy's Mother
... Vinnie
... Karen's Mother
... Sandy
... Belle Kessler
... Lois Byrd
... Jerry Vale
... Mickey Conway
... Young Henry
... Henry's Mother
... Henry's Father
... Michael Hill
... Spider
... Bobby Vinton
... Johnny Roastbeef
... Dr. Dan
... Tony
... Johnny Dio
... Ronnie
... Tony Stacks
... Young Tommy
... City Detective #1
... City Detective #2
... Anthony Stabile
... Nickey Eyes
... Mikey Franzese
... Diane
... Bruce
... Cicero's Wife
... Tuddy's Wife
... Mrs. Carbone
... Frenchy's Wife
... Angie
... Rosie
... Susan
... Tommy's Girlfriend
... Joe Buddha
... Stacks Edwards
... Johnny Roastbeef's Wife
... Dealer
... Edward McDonald
... Defense Attorney
... Young Henry's Sister #1
... Young Henry's Sister #2
... Young Henry's Older Brother
... Young Michael
... Liquor Cop #1
... Liquor Cop #2
... Mailman
... Barbeque Wiseguy
... Bleeding Man
... Gambling Doorman
... Hijacked Driver
... School Guard
... Cop #1
... Mob Lawyer
... Judge - 1956
... Truck Driver at Diner
... Fat Andy
... Frankie The Wop
... Freddy No Nose
... Pete The Killer
... Jimmy Two Times
... Man with Coatrack
... Henry's 60's crew
... Henry's 60's crew
... Cicero 60's Crew
... Cicero's 60's crew
... Terrorized Waiter
... Bouncer
... Copa Captain
... Henry Greeter #1
... Henry Greeter #2
... Henry Greeter #3
... Mr. Tony Hood #1
... Mr. Tony Hood #2
... Copa Announcer
... Beach Club Waiter
... Bruce's Brother #1
... Bruce's Brother #2
... Karen's Dad
... Marie #1
... Marie #2
... Paul #3
... Truck Driver
... Detective Deacy
... Detective Silvestri
... Batts' Crew #1
... Vito
... Vito's Girlfriend
... Lisa
... Batt's Crew #2
... Godfather at Table
... Prizefighter
... Henry's 70's Crew
... Henry's 70's Crew
... Henry's 70's Crew
... Henry's 70's Crew
... Henry's 70's Crew
... Carbone's Girlfriend
... Henry's Older Child - Judy
... Henry's Baby - Ruth
... Bar Patron
... Janice's Girlfriend #1
... Janoce's Girlfriend #2
... Bridal Shop Owner
... Florida Bookie
... Bookie's Sister
... Judge - 1971
... Security Guard with Lobsters
... Drug Buyer
... Prison Guard in Booth
... Judy Hill at 10 Years
... Ruth Hill at 8 Years
... Parole Officer
... Stacks' Girlfriend
... Joe Buddha's Wife
... Kid
... Garbage Man
... Doctor
... Judy Hill at 13 Years
... Ruth Hill at 11 Years
... Arresting Narc
... 50's Wiseguy (uncredited)
... Truck Hijacker (uncredited)
... Nickey Eyes' Girlfriend (uncredited)
... Jimmy's Son (uncredited)
... Courtroom Defendant (uncredited)
... Court Reporter
Crew
... Director
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Editor
... Casting
... Production Design
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Second Unit Director
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Foley Supervisor
... Second Assistant Camera
... Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Assistant Property Master
... Construction Foreman
... Foley Artist
... Hairstylist
... Hairstylist
... Hairstylist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Construction Coordinator
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Special Effects
... Stunt Coordinator
... Camera Operator
... Steadicam Operator
... Still Photographer
... First Assistant Editor
... Music Editor
... Script Supervisor
... Unit Publicist
... Location Manager
... Assistant Editor
... Production Sound Mixer
... Boom Operator
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Book
... Associate Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... First Assistant Director
... Second Assistant Director
... Title Designer
... Title Designer
... Editor
... ADR Editor
... Foley Editor
... Foley Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... First Assistant Camera
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Wardrobe Supervisor
... Makeup Artist
... Chief Lighting Technician
... Key Grip
... Production Office Coordinator
... Production Accountant
... Property Master
... Set Dresser
... Transportation Captain
... Transportation Co-Captain
... Casting Assistant
... Dialogue Editor
... Sound Recordist
... Dialogue Editor
... Supervising Dialogue Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Dialogue Editor
Videos & Photos of
GoodFellas
Videos (3)
Photos 67
Similar Movies To
GoodFellas
Věra Lukášová (1939)
7/10
Vera is eleven years old and after the death of her parents she lives with her grandmother. She doesn't understand her at all, doesn't recognize her as her beloved son and is terrified of the genes of her daughter-in-law, who was "just" a saleswoman. Vera prefers to escape into her own world, where she doesn't hear her grandmother's lamentations, ponders good and evil, and her balls become Spanish nobles...
Release: 1939-09-29
The Horse That Cried (1957)
4.1/10
An adaptation of a story by a Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky that anticipates the Ukrainian "poetic cinema" of the '60s in its focus on star-crossed lovers and its celebration of nature. Set in the 1830s, the film follows two lovers on the run - a girl forced into marriage and her boyfriend, a serf who's being sought by the authorities - as they try to make their way to freedom.
Release: 1957-04-01
Foma Gordeyev (1959)
6.5/10
Foma Gordeyev, the son of a wealthy Volga merchant, doesn't want to continue his father's work. The mind is sickened by the dirt and injustice of life around him. Foma is seeking solace in a drunken rampage and wild antics. After many years of desolation, he is half-ill at the opening of a night shelter built with his father’s money.
Release: 1959-11-14
Hannibal Rising (2007)
6.269/10
The story of the early, murderous roots of the cannibalistic killer, Hannibal Lecter – from his hard-scrabble Lithuanian childhood, where he witnesses the repulsive lengths to which hungry soldiers will go to satiate themselves, through his sojourn in France, where as a medical student he hones his appetite for the kill.
Release: 2007-02-06
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
7.504/10
The story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it.
Release: 2006-12-09
Notes on a Scandal (2006)
7.09/10
A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.
Release: 2006-12-25
Samaritan Girl (2004)
6.928/10
Jae-Young is an amateur prostitute who sleeps with men while her best friend Yeo-Jin "manages" her, fixing dates, taking care of the money, and making sure the coast is clear. When Jae-Young falls in love with one of those men, she suppresses her feelings towards him in respect of her friend who's jealous.
Release: 2004-03-05
3-Iron (2004)
7.8/10
A drifter lives in people's houses while they are away and repays them by doing chores for them. His life changes when he meets a beautiful woman who wants to escape her unhappy marriage.
Release: 2004-10-15
The Opera Game (2019)
10/10
The tortured life of Paul Morphy (1850s New Orleans chess prodigy) is examined.
Release: 2019-02-03
49 Days (1962)
10/10
For 49 days, four young soldiers drifted on a barge that was blown out to sea by a storm. Only by the end of the seventh week they were discovered by American pilots.
Release: 1962-03-15
Godfather's Story (2013)
5.813/10
Godfather's story is the story of the greatest of Czech post-revolutionary 'entrepreneurs'. His activities often crossed the edge of the law, and his life ended bullet assassin.
Release: 2013-10-24
Stalker (1979)
8.1/10
Near a gray and unnamed city is the Zone, a place guarded by barbed wire and soldiers, and where the normal laws of physics are victim to frequent anomalies. A stalker guides two men into the Zone, specifically to an area in which deep-seated desires are granted.
Release: 1979-05-25
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
7.884/10
A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.
Release: 2006-12-14
Greed (1924)
7.315/10
When housewife Trina wins the lottery, her comfortable life with her dentist husband John slowly deteriorates, in part by her own increasing paranoia and partly by the machinations of villainous acquaintance Marcus.
Release: 1924-12-04
La Vie en Rose (2007)
7.363/10
From the mean streets of the Belleville district of Paris to the dazzling limelight of New York's most famous concert halls, Edith Piaf's life was a constant battle to sing and survive, to live and love. Raised in her grandmother's brothel, Piaf was discovered in 1935 by nightclub owner Louis Leplee, who persuaded her to sing despite her extreme nervousness. Piaf became one of France's immortal icons, her voice one of the indelible signatures of the 20th century.
Release: 2007-02-14
M. Butterfly (1993)
6.572/10
In 1960s China, French diplomat Rene Gallimard falls in love with opera singer Song Liling – but Song is not at all who Gallimard thinks.
Release: 1993-10-01
Lost on a Mountain in Maine (2024)
6.945/10
When twelve-year-old Donn Fendler gets tired of waiting for his father and brothers to join him on the summit of Maine's highest peak, he decides to find his own way back to camp. But Donn doesn't count on a fast-moving fog that obscures the path. He doesn't count on falling down an embankment that hides him from sight. And he doesn't count on taking a turn that leaves him alone to wander aimlessly for nearly two weeks in the empty mountain wilderness.
Release: 2024-11-01
Artifice: Loose Fellowship and Partners (2016)
0/10
Immersed in the underbelly of Brooklyn, NY, a bargain between two gangsters gets cuckoo when one of the gangsters hires a voodoo worker to overthrow his rival.
Release: 2016-10-08
Party Monster (2003)
5.803/10
The New York club scene of the 80s and 90s was a world like no other. Into this candy-colored, mirror ball playground stepped Michael Alig, a wannabe from nowhere special. Under the watchful eye of veteran club kid James St. James, Alig quickly rose to the top... and there was no place to go but down.
Release: 2003-09-05
The Coast Guard (2002)
6.2/10
A member of Coast Guard Platoon 23, Private Kang monitors a high-infiltration stretch of beach lined with barbed-wire fencing. Driven by the belief that killing a spy is the highest honor, he waits for a chance to prove his worth.
Release: 2002-11-22