Goodfellas

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Stunningly acted. [21 September 1990, The Arts, p.12]

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

No finer film has ever been made about organized crime - not even "The Godfather."

Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

All of the performances are first-rate; Pesci stands out, though, with his seemingly unscripted manner. GoodFellas is easily one of the year's best films. [21 September 1990, Friday, p.C]

Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan

Director Martin Scorsese's spectacular, irreverent picture.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Ferocious brutality is presented without commentary or judgment, yet with unmistakable moral understanding and vision. [21 September 1990, Daily Notebook p.E-1]

USA Today Mike Clark

Great cinema - and also a whopping good time. [19 September 1990, Life, p.1D]

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

No so-called serious gangster film has ever been more fun, or less dangerous, or more intrinsically feminist, than GoodFellas. Even "I Married the Mob" was scarier.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

With patience, care, and strict attention to detail, Scorsese has staked out an impregnable position in the history of motion pictures.

Time Richard Corliss

So it is Scorsese's triumph that GoodFellas offers the fastest, sharpest 2 1/2-hr. ride in recent film history. [Sept 24, 1990]

Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

GoodFellas is "Raging Bull" squared. [20 September 1990, Calendar, p.F-1]

Washington Post Desson Thomson

One of Martin Scorsese's most brutal but stunning movies, an incredible, relentless experience about the singleminded pursuit of crime.

Film.com John Hartl

An appalling masterpiece.

Rolling Stone Jeremy Beday

Martin Scorsese scores again with his gritty, kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's best-selling "Wiseguy."

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

Stylistically, it's a remarkable effort -- with a continuous sense of gliding motion -- and the film is entertaining and gripping throughout.

TV Guide Staff (not credited)

Scorsese's rich tapestry is both broader in scope and more detailed than a mere recounting of the events in the trio's life of crime.

The New Yorker Pauline Kael

Is it a great movie? I don't think so. But it's a triumphant piece of filmmaking -- journalism presented with the brio of drama. [24 Sept 1990]

Variety Staff (Not credited)

Simultaneously fascinating and repellent, Goodfellas is Martin Scorsese's colorful but dramatically unsatisfying inside look at Mafia life in 1955-1980 New York City.

The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann

Scorsese's style, fierce as it is, doesn't accomplish what he clearly expected of it. Often, in many arts, fresh treatment can redeem familiar subjects, but it doesn't happen here. [Oct 22, 1990]