Rivals the Godfather for best mob movie (Goodfellas (DVD))

Member Name: ElChupacabra

Product:	Goodfellas (DVD)
Date:	19/08/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ray Liotta's best performance and DeNiro excellant as usual

Disadvantages: None

I have always been a big fan of Martin Scorcese, but I have been dissapointed in his work in recent years as I am not a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, who to me still looks like a 15 year old, so when I think of his movies I tend to harken back to the glory days.

For me Goodfellas is Scorcese at his very best. Yes, I appreciate that by the time this movie had come along he was beginning to look like a one trick pony who could only to mob or gang movies, but hell if he was he could sure do them well.

The plot, for the few North Koreans who might be reading and don't already know, follows real life, half Irish, half Italian gangster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he gets involved with and lives his life as part of the Italian American New York Mafia. Along the way he develops close relationships with Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). Hill and DeVitto are peers, whereas Conway is their mentor in the ways of organised crime. They all answer to family boss Paul Cicero (Paul Sorvino). As the film progresses we see the rise and fall of Hill as he goes from successful gangster to drug addict, dealer and police informant. Along the way we watch the polticaql struggles and back stabbing that comes with betraying your mob colleagues.

All the performances in the movie are outstanding, especially DeNiro's (as usual) and the picture is unquestionably Ray Liotta's finest. The direct, editing, choice of music and acting lend themselves to excellent pace and keeps you gripped for the two and half hour running time.

One of my favourites and throughly recommended.

Summary: Outstanding cinema from Martin Scorcese