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Goodfellas
Warner Bros.

9.7 based on 18 reviews Read critic reviews How did we calculate this? based on 77 votes Read user comments Rate this movie

FILM:

• Bringing Out the Dead
• Cape Fear
• Casino
• Gangs of New York
• Kundun
• My Voyage to Italy
• Raging Bull
• Taxi Driver
• The Age of Innocence
• The Aviator
• The Departed
• The Last Temptation of Christ
• The Last Waltz

TV:

• No Direction Home: Bob Dylan

• Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R

Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Sivero, Tony Darrow, and Mike Starr

Based on the bestselling book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, Scorsese's film profiles nearly 30 years of mob life in New York City.

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Nicholas Pileggi (novel Martin Scorsese
DIRECTED BY:	Martin Scorsese
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: March 24, 1997  Video: February 5, 1992  Theatrical: September 1, 1990
RUNNING TIME:	146 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Nominated for six Academy Awards in 1991, including Best Picture (but lost out to Dances With Wolves). It did win Best Picture from the British Academy Awards, the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Golden Globes, the LA Film Critics Association, the National Society of Film Critics, and the NY Film Critics Circle.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

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

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

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

100

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]

100

Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan

Director Martin Scorsese's spectacular, irreverent picture.

100

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]

100

USA Today Mike Clark

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

100

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.

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

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

100

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]

100

Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

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

90

Washington Post Desson Thomson

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

90

Film.com John Hartl

An appalling masterpiece.

80

Rolling Stone Jeremy Beday

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

80

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.

80

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.

70

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]

70

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.

50

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]

The average user rating for this movie is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 77 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Scott H. gave it a10:
Best mob movie ever!!!!!!!!

Aran H. gave it a10:
One The Best Films Ever Made In My Opinion. Ray Liota's only 1st Class Performance. I do not understand why scorcese has not won more oscars

Cacks M. gave it a10:
This movie is why Robert DeNiro is one of the greatest living actors. Without a doubt, one of the top ten movies of all time.

Jake gave it a10:
One the best ganster films ever shot. Scorcese is an absolute master. The cast is perfect for this film.

jared C gave it an8:
goodfellas is pure intelligence. scorsese shares what he thinks 'the life of a gangster' should be through his own view. the acting was also well performed. robert deniro did the best though, 'cause i dont really enjoy ray liottas style and joe pesci just goes a little too over the top with swares. But the film itself is totally an unexpected wake up call for the beginnging of the 90s decade. the decade starts out with a knock in the head. since 80s decade ended with the untouchables, wich was a superb masterpiece by the way. although for some reason they dont have it on metacritic? a little odd to me, but o well. then it went to the shawshank redemption which was probably the best film i've seen since the godfather part 2. until the crappy prequel the godfather part 3 came out, what a waste of filmmaking. what else is there to add. but goodfellas on the otehr hand was pure beautiful excellent poetry written from scorsese's hand himself. the film is unforgettable. then when casino came out, joe pesci went extremely +78% over the top. but nothing matches to this mob movie. sure its flaws are simple, but the movie is great to watch on television. although you may not like it the first time you watch it. (which is when you see it on TV.) and you think, "this film is way overrated." but once you buy it a month later, the front cover looks so cool and when you watch it the second time, your face is solid rock and you can't even move your head or your eyes. you're so appealed. and thats the reason why i gave it an 8. its because it was one of the most appealing movies i have ever seen. and im not just saying that to make you watch it and think, "what was this user thinking?" No. this film will keep electrified until the credits roll up and says: Directed by martin Scorsese. then you say wow.

Harry G. gave it a10:
Superb. One of the greatest gangster films ever made.

Chad S. gave it a6:
This IS NOT...NOT...the best gangsta movie ever. It's not even close, and it surely isnt Scorsese best film. I unfortunately watched this after watching Casino, which is much better, and since they are very similiar movies i would highly recommend you either A. watch this movie first, then Casino or B. watch Casino and dont watch this movie...just ok

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