Goodfellas Reviews | RateItAll

Goodfellas

1990 American biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese, and produced by Irwin Winkler Website

Approval Rate: 92%

92%Approval ratio

Reviews 47

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  • by

    bird808

    Sat Nov 13 2010

    Joe Pesci and De Niro at their best. Martin Scorsese got the tone of this film right. Never been a movie of this particular genre that can even compare. Cannot believe it lost out on Best Picture to Costners "Dances with Wolves".

  • by

    magneticd

    Fri Nov 12 2010

    One of the most irritating things I have ever seen. A mediocre mob movie narrated by a cheese-headed Ray Romano, or Ray Liota, whatever. Terrible movie.

  • by

    spike65

    Fri Jul 18 2008

    A masterpiece. Much more true to life than the more popular Godfather series. Great cast, direction, acting, and dialogue. See it...Now! Not for the kiddies please.

  • by

    canadasucks

    Thu Jul 19 2007

    Released in 1990, it has to make anyone's best films of the decade. . .flawless, fascinating, well-acted and shot. . .

  • by

    irishgit

    Thu Jul 19 2007

    Very strong performances from Liotta and Pesci. Brilliant job by De Niro. A great movie. Nasty, but great.

  • by

    victor83

    Thu Jul 19 2007

    Very good acting, but I don't get America's fascination with the romanticising of the mob.

  • by

    godlybrotha

    Sun Jan 21 2007

    Among the greatest gangster movies of all time, I have to give Goodfellas a slight edge over The Godfather, which are two of my favorite movies. Very violent, but that was truly the life of a gangster. Joe Pesci's portayal of Tommy D makes you love him, and hate him. He cracked me up in the scene in the restaurant("What do you mean I'm funny?"), the scene where he and Henry are purposely setting fire to the restaurant("You look like you're decorating a Christmas tree, you don't know what you're doin'!), and the scene after he killed "Spider("He woulda grown up to be a rat anyway..his family are all rats!"), but the scene where he kills "Stax," and Morie in cold blood, and just his overall nastiness could make you glad he met the end that he did. The movie somewhat made the boss Paulie Vario to be some kind of affectionate teddy bear type, which wasn't the case with the real Paulie, but it was well-acted. I've lost count on how many times I've seen this movie, and I'm sure I'll see it m... Read more

  • by

    jeremy00081

    Sun Oct 01 2006

    I thought I'd get bored by this excellant movie, but it ended up being one of the most interesting, entertaining things I've ever seen. Awesome acting, fascinating plot based on a true story, funny and intriguing narration by Liotta.

  • by

    supremecritic

    Thu Sep 14 2006

    at first i douted the style of the movies but as i watched it i really began to understand the characters and the film really grew on me

  • by

    robbo59

    Wed Jan 18 2006

    A mesmerizing look into the lives an organized crime family through the eyes of a neighborhood Irish/Italian kid (Played as an adult by Ray Liotta) recruited at a young age to perform small jobs and later rising through the ranks as a soldier and racketeer. Director Martin Scorsese's masterpiece epic features a brilliant ensemble cast, (including many of his group of "regulars" from earlier fims including; "Mean Streets", "The Raging Bull", and later, "Casino.") an excellant soundtrack, and many depictions of graphic violence. While the film is laced with dark and subtle humor, certain scenes are not for the squeemish. Robert Dinero co-stars as the brutal Irish-American thug Jimmy Conway, giving a powerful, and menacing performance. Paul Sorvino, as mob boss Paul Cicero is also standout as is Lorraine Brocco as the wife of Henry Hill (Liotta). The breakout star of the film is Joe Pesci (winner of the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the fim), who, as the sociopathic Tommy DeVito,... Read more

  • by

    drummond

    Sat Dec 31 2005

    A bit violent for my tastes, but very well written and acted.

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    jazzackfl

    Tue Aug 02 2005

    Best Damn Scorcese Movie Ever hands down.

  • by

    dpostoskie

    Thu Apr 07 2005

    What I'm clown, I'm her to amuse you. Greatest mob movie of all time.

  • by

    supercross

    Tue Apr 05 2005

    Easily one of the best movies ever made. Martin Scorsese has a directing style unlike any other and this movie presents both a serious and laid-back look at the Mafia. Ray Liotta delivers quite possibly his best performance as Henry Hill (Remember, this movie is based on a true story). GoodFellas is different from other ganster films such as The Godfather and Scarface, but in a very good way. If you see this movie at the end the only way you will able to sum up what you just saw is: Holy S***!

  • by

    largerthankemp

    Sat Feb 12 2005

    I like it better than the Gocfather, but for one reason I think I always miss the subtle genius of the Godfather movies...

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    gadipgal

    Fri Jan 07 2005

    I am not a mafia movie fan, but I first caught this movie on HBO back in the early '90's and I was hooked. With apologies to Scarface and the Godfathers, if you are going to see a mob this is the one and only to see. Period.

  • by

    sully68

    Mon Dec 13 2004

    What can I say. Simply the best gangster film of all time. I have never heard more people quoting lines from any other movie.. Even to this day!

  • by

    salvatore22

    Sat Oct 30 2004

    I'm a big fan of Scorsese, and(f.y.i) Raging Bull is one of me favorite movies.After Godfather pt1 & pt2,Goodfellas is the best mob movie. What makes it great is that the movie breaksthrough the mob genre it's a great overall movie.

  • by

    fierce_pajamas

    Thu Sep 30 2004

    Awesome movie. Better than the Godfather, even.

  • by

    randyman

    Sat Aug 21 2004

    This movie is in my personal top ten. the chemistry between Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci is not unlike Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, a perfect pairing. But Pesci steals the scene as a ruthless gangster,as he did in Casino

  • by

    jaywilton

    Wed Jul 28 2004

    For anyone who gets stranded on a deserted island and who always wanted to be a gangster,this is the video ;flawless.

  • by

    lashes

    Mon Jun 28 2004

    Fantastic Movie.

  • by

    jaa2xecc

    Tue Jun 22 2004

    This is one of Scorsese's best. Probably his most entertaining film.

  • by

    kinkykinks

    Tue Apr 13 2004

    best mob movie i have seen!

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    dickweener

    Thu Jan 22 2004

    Great Mob movie, I would put this one up with the Godfather, different but quality wise it's real close. DeNiro, Pesci , Ray Liotta were great, and so are the supporting actors. This is one of the best movies period.

  • by

    tvtator

    Thu Dec 18 2003

    One of the most outstanding films about the mob. Great performances by Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci.

  • by

    winnipeg15

    Tue Aug 19 2003

    Fantastic movie...seeing the mobsters transform thru the 70's and 80's...the bloodshed..the mafia banter...i never get sick of seeing this movie... Deniro's gangster laugh kills me!!!...he is the mob.

  • by

    jbiscuit1

    Fri Aug 01 2003

    One of the best mob movies ever made. Ray Liotta is excellent in this depiction of the rise and fall of a half Italian unmade mobster. Beautifully supported by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, this film is worth watching. Funny thing though, I found that I did not actually enjoy the movie until the second time I saw it. Let it grow on you a little.

  • by

    ponerse

    Mon Jun 02 2003

    A top five movie of all time!

  • by

    open_anus

    Sat May 03 2003

    full of memorable scenes and characters. peschi especially.

  • by

    karenlucy

    Sun Mar 23 2003

    A fantastic movie from start to finish! Was the first time I ever saw the acting of both Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco and they both were superb! Great story and really great acting. It's one of those movies I have taped and can watch over and over and enjoy it each time!!

  • by

    sperryc

    Fri Mar 14 2003

    Probably my favorite movie of all time. Scorsese captures the personalities of that era/lifestyle flawlessly. Every word in the dialogue and every song on the soundtrack are so carefully hand-picked...This is one of those few movies that simply won't get old. I plain-and-simple can not watch the scene where Pesci critiques his mom's artwork without cracking up laughing. ("I love it. One dog goes one way, another dog goes the other. And the guy in the back, he's sayin' 'What you want from me?'")

  • by

    moviefanatic

    Fri Jan 24 2003

    The best gangster movie of all time--better than The Godfather. It's not so much a story, but rather an extremely entertaining collection of classic scenes. One of those rare films that you love more every time you see it. Superb use of oldies music. GoodFellas really engages you from the start, and takes you on one heckuva ride. Maybe not his best (Raging Bull is), but definitely Scorsese's most entertaining movie.

  • by

    lukskywlkr

    Wed Jan 22 2003

    Frankly, I've never really considered this to be in the same league as the Godfather movies, but it is still a great movie. When I think of this one, I always remember the scene where Joe Pesci borrows his mother's big knife, and then he goes and offs that guy with it, stabbing him as he's laying there half dead in the trunk of the car. It's pretty gruesome, but a very memorable scene.

  • by

    kelly7655

    Thu Nov 28 2002

    This is my favorite movie of all time. I've read the book too (called "Wise Guys"), the book and movie are equally superb. Robert Deniro portrays Jimmy the Gent beautifully (of course, would you expect any less from Deniro?). He has a certain charisma that will never be possessed by any other actor...it's undescribable. Ray Liotta did an excellent job of portraying Henry Hill..I love his cool and calm demeanor through out the movie (except when he goes into panic mode toward the end). Another great, Joe Pesci. Goodfellas is his best performance. Any guy that can portray a member of the mobb and then go on to play a crook in a kids movie (Home Alone) deserves credit. My favorite part of the movie? The scene with Billy Batts. Moral: Don't bang on the trunk. Most tantalizing movie ever! Definatley a classic!

  • by

    marc780

    Tue Nov 19 2002

    ProbabLY the best Mob movie ever made, much better than The Godfather, to my mind. Ray Liotta is terrific, and Deniro and Pesci at their finest. Great story, great action and it's all TRUE

  • by

    kbob146d

    Tue Nov 05 2002

    One of the best movies ever!

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    jason1972

    Wed Oct 30 2002

    This movie is absolutely my favorite gangster movie. It's a great storyteller that doesn't lose you at all. It's a 2 1/2 hour movie that doesn't even feel like one because it keeps you in so much suspense. I love it. Every actor played a vital role in this movie.

  • by

    loadf19d

    Wed May 22 2002

    The most entertaining of all of Martin Scorsese's film and a candidate for the best film of the nineties. It's just so fun to watch Paukie, Jimmy, Henry and especially Tommy do their thing! In every single shot, you can clearly see Scorsese recalling his childhood days, sitting in front of a movie screen and watching gangster movies. "Goodfellas" is a masterpiece.

  • by

    antondatree

    Wed Apr 24 2002

    I believe that GoodFellas is an absolutely astounding and brilliant film with great acting, dialogue, directing (Scorsese shines again), and one of the best views on the mob. Maybe not as haunting as The Godfather, but it's still one of my favorite movies. Summary: ONE OF THE GREAT FILMS OF THE 90s - BRILLIANT!

  • by

    sexystreif

    Sat Apr 20 2002

    scorstassy hits the spot again(even though I spelled his name wrong). this movie is cool, the gangsters are lovable and hateable. very twisted, I love it

  • by

    oldpompous

    Mon Dec 03 2001

    Astonishing movie, from the virtuostic direction and film editing to the brilliant ensemble cast. My only (minor) complaints are about the soundtrack. First off, it is a little too relentless. The pop songs are NONSTOP. Secondly, for most of the movie, the music parallels the setting, but towards the end, the music and the era that is being depicted are a mismatch. Still, a brilliant movie from Scorcese, as good as Taxi Driver, maybe better.

  • by

    cde1970

    Tue Oct 23 2001

    One of the very best ganster films ever made. Totally watchable, superb direction from Scorsese, first class acting all round especially from De Niro and Joe Pesci. Brilliant music and superb editing.

  • by

    joeawaz

    Tue May 29 2001

    Scorsese is a genius! Pechi and Liota steal the show!

  • by

    detective_starsky

    Wed May 09 2001

    A excellent film by any genre's standards. The only effective voice over that doesn't either (1) numb the mind or (2)unconfuse a convoluted plotline. Rather, it is essential to the narrative. And this is in ADDITION to the performances, editing, and camerawork. I would be surprised if anything could be dreamt up to beat it, especially considering it is non-fiction. The highest commendations to all involved.

  • by

    daf62757

    Tue Mar 13 2001

    I took an organized crime class in college and the class was great. Our professor gave this one lecture where he explained how the mafia worked. When I saw this movie, it followed his lecture almost for the letter! So I would say this movie is great for another more important reason that the wonderful acting and the great writing. It offers a real insight into how the Mafia worked.

  • by

    brain71b

    Mon Jan 15 2001

    I love mafia movies. This one is no exception. The writing and directing are great. The only problem I had was believing Ray Liotta as a mobster.