GoodFellas (1990)
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.
Details
Budget
$25,000,000
Rating
8/10 (13190 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Winkler Films
About GoodFellas
Martin Scorsese's 1990 crime drama "GoodFellas" chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a Brooklyn native drawn into the world of organized crime. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book "Wiseguy," the film traces Hill's journey from an impressionable youth to a key player in a Mafia family alongside Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
The narrative spans decades, from the 1950s through the 1980s, showcasing the allure and eventual brutality of the gangster lifestyle. The film is noted for its immersive storytelling, which uses voice-over narration, a dynamic soundtrack, and an editing style to pull viewers into the characters' experiences. It explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the corrosive effects of unchecked ambition within the crime world.
"GoodFellas" has garnered significant critical acclaim, holding strong ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and IMDb. Its portrayal of organized crime is often highlighted for its realism and lack of romanticism, focusing on the harsh realities and consequences faced by its characters. The film's influence on the crime genre and cinema in general is widely recognized.
Why you might be searching for GoodFellas
People often search for "GoodFellas" to revisit specific, memorable scenes, such as the iconic "funny how?" exchange, or to recall the performances of its lead actors, particularly Joe Pesci's portrayal of Tommy DeVito. The film's unique blend of dark humor and violence, along with its specific 1970s setting and depiction of drug trafficking and organized crime in New York City, also makes it a frequent topic of discussion and re-watching.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes "GoodFellas" as a benchmark gangster movie, highlighting how all artistic elements—direction, script, editing, photography, music, and cast—come together to create a cohesive experience, marking a return to form for Scorsese and demonstrating his directorial prowess.
Read the full reviewA reviewer notes that Martin Scorsese's interest in crime films lies not primarily in the crime itself, but in the details that convey a sense of liberation and entry into a new world, filming life in a way that resembles documentaries through the use of voice-over narration.
Read the full reviewRay Liotta's performance as Henry Hill is praised by one reviewer, who points out how the film effectively shows the obvious attractions of the mob life, like the women, wine, and thrills, which draw a young Henry away from his working-class background.
Read the full reviewA reviewer praises "GoodFellas" as a masterpiece, noting how Martin Scorsese delivers a raw and unflinching look into organized crime, with strong performances from Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, whose portrayal of Tommy DeVito is particularly terrifying and fascinating.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream GoodFellas on Netflix.
Yes, GoodFellas is based on the real-life story of mob associate Henry Hill and his friends and family from 1955 to 1980. The film is an adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's 1985 nonfiction book, *Wiseguy*.
At the end of GoodFellas, Henry Hill becomes an informant and enters the witness protection program with his family after realizing Jimmy plans to kill him. His testimony leads to the conviction of Paulie and Jimmy, but Henry expresses unhappiness with his new, ordinary life, feeling it's a step down from his exciting gangster days. Director Martin Scorsese ended the film with Henry regretting not being a 'wise guy' anymore, hoping the audience would feel anger towards him and possibly the system that allowed this.
GoodFellas is widely considered a classic gangster film and a high point in Martin Scorsese's career, receiving universal acclaim from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 94% of 166 critics gave the film a positive review, with a consensus calling it "hard-hitting and stylish."