Goodfellas

Name: Goodfellas
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime
Released: September 1, 1990
Duration: 146 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro

1990

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1119 Ratings

See All

8.7

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.7	Your Score
8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1119 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Goodfellas

Now Playing: Goodfellas

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: September 1, 1990 | R

Starring: Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro

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

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 146 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Josh Larsen

The movie’s morality lies in its form. Read full review

100

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

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Goodfellas is a compelling, black-comic nightmare. Read full review

100

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

David Sterritt

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

Film.com John Hartl

An appalling masterpiece.

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]

SEE ALL 21 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

JerryF.

Mar 17, 2006

Holy moly, this has to be one of the best films I;ve laid eyes on. Amazing, performances are wonderful, Pesci rules!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

rollingstone82

Aug 13, 2010

An amazing film that shows mob life at its grittiest, goriest, lowest levels.

I loved Goodfellas. Every time I watched it, it still felt great. But one thing really perked me. How is it a classic? It is one of the best movies I ever watched but why is it so revered? I watched it anotherAn amazing film that shows mob life at its grittiest, goriest, lowest levels.

I loved Goodfellas. Every time I watched it, it still felt great. But one thing really perked me. How is it a classic? It is one of the best movies I ever watched but why is it so revered? I watched it another time just to keep my eye out for details.

Now I understand.

It isn't easy. Especially to praise a film with countless violence and seemingly aimless profanity (300 f words total). But Goodfellas isn't about that. It's about the story. It's about the array of characters. It's about the suspense. It's one of the most accurate portraits of mob life, specifically those in the lower end of the food chain.

THe story is narrated by Henry Hill, an ex-mobster who explains his dreams of becoming a gangster. Through Henry's eyes, being a gangster was everything. Money. Cars. Girls. Respect. Nobody would dare talk rough to a gangster. And the cops could care less too. Our main man Henry, narrates his 30-year career as a mob member from parking cars to setting cars on fire to dealing drugs to carrying out dastardly schemes (the infamous Lufthansa heist). In the end, Henry is forced to give up his mob life and expose his fellow gangsters after learning his best friend is going to kill him. Even then, he still misses his old life stating that he is now a regular guy aka a nobody, a "schnook".

Robert De Niro is charming yet cunning as Jimmy Conway. He smiles but behind is a greedy desire. He makes sure he gets what he wants and those who don't follow him get whacked. Joe Pesci, the show stealer, gives a fiery performance as the short-tempered Tommy De Vito. He wants respect and one word is enough to make him go berserk. Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco both give fine performances even though they are the most thankless roles in the film.

Dialogue is a highlight even if it is laced with numerous profanity. But the music is something that really adds to the success. The eclectic rock soundtrack fits its scenes like a modern-day orchestra. Scorsese is able to fit a piano version of Layla and a montage of dead bodies so perfectly. That is a rare gift.

Once again my favorite director stuns me with another classic that I now fully realize as a classic. It may not be his best (that would be Taxi Driver) but it definitely is one of them.… Expand

17 of 25 users found this helpful178

barnet42

Oct 15, 2012

An amazing film i love gangsters movies If you like this film, you should definitely check out "The Long Good Friday". People always mention "The Godfather" or "Goodfellas" as the best gangster film, but "The Long Good Friday" for some reason is rarely mentioned. Even though I slightlyAn amazing film i love gangsters movies If you like this film, you should definitely check out "The Long Good Friday". People always mention "The Godfather" or "Goodfellas" as the best gangster film, but "The Long Good Friday" for some reason is rarely mentioned. Even though I slightly prefer "Goodfellas", I would say that "The Long Good Friday" is just as good a film as "Goodfellas".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

timone

Mar 5, 2019

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 storyMartin 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

j30

Jan 30, 2012

One of the greatest Oscar snubs of all-time, besides well Raging Bull and Taxi Driver. Martin Scorsese was on his way to becoming the new Stanley Kubrick in never receiving the coveted Best Director or Best Picture award. The cast is great Peci and De Niro are awesome.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Onask

Nov 8, 2018

Scorsese nos ofrece un clásico del cine de gángsters y gracias a un trío protagonista excepcional y secundarios como la mujer de Henry o Paul Cicero hacen brillar a la cinta. Muy muy bien dirigida con un guión impecable, Goodfellas (Uno de los Nuestros) es a día de hoy una película que hayScorsese nos ofrece un clásico del cine de gángsters y gracias a un trío protagonista excepcional y secundarios como la mujer de Henry o Paul Cicero hacen brillar a la cinta. Muy muy bien dirigida con un guión impecable, Goodfellas (Uno de los Nuestros) es a día de hoy una película que hay que ver obligadamente.

Imprescindible.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

ocd6766

Oct 20, 2019

I've watched this film several times now and each time I've grown to dislike it more and more. There are no life lessons to be learned from this movie, viewing this film will not enrich the spirit, rather it will leave a dark stain on your soul.

1 of 22 users found this helpful121

SEE ALL 144 REVIEWS