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 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1009 Ratings

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8.9

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8.9	Your Score
8.9	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1009 Ratings

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Goodfellas

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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

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

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

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

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

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

100

David Sterritt

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

Desson Thomson

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

Jeremy Beday

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

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]

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User Reviews

EricR.

Dec 11, 2006

The best gangster movie ever. It's also my second favorite movie of all-time.

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

12 of 17 users found this helpful125

Justinavery7074

Mar 28, 2011

There must be something extremely wrong with you if you don't love this movie. Either the violence is to graphic or language is strong, you've got to at least love it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Trev29

Jan 24, 2016

An indisputable classic. An epic tale of the mafia that is intense, funny, entertaining, and acted fantastically. The dialogue, the music, everything is just near perfect.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Fnn

Jun 3, 2020

What can i say that hasn't already been said. This film is so good. Ray Loitta, De Niro, Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco give there best ever performances. The score is great and the film is shot beautifuly. Classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MartyMcFly

Oct 2, 2018

My score 100
Metascore / User score 89 / 89
Tomatometer / Audience score 96 / 97
IMDB 87
(93)

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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.

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

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