CULT DVD Review

 Goodfellas

 Overall: 89%

 Feature: 91.5%   (2 reviews)

 Extras: 84%

 Top 1000 Disc

 Goodfellas: Special Edition (2 discs)

 

Sometimes the Academy Awards just gets it dead wrong. In the case of Martin Scorsese, it happened far too many times in the great directors’ career. But possibly in 1991 when Kevin Costner swept the board with his ponderous ego-fuelled Dances with Wolves and left this classic mobster tale unrewarded, it may have been the biggest crime of the century. Excuse the pun.

The film is a richly detailed look into the life of real-life gangster Henry Hill, from his early dabbles when he was a child with the local bigwigs to his rise and fall in his later life. Ray Liotta gives his most vibrant performance as Hill and Scorsese directs the whole thing with such pizzazz and style that its no wonder the film has been a constant reference point for many filmmakers and movie buffs.

Often tying with The Godfather for the title of best gangster movie ever made, it certainly is a constant appearance with many critics best of lists. The cast are all perfect in their roles, on repeat viewings you see how dangerous Robert De Niro comes across in the role. He appears laidback but he is a calculating predator. His later scenes are also very darkly amusing. Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill has never been better and she gets the right mix of awe and shock as Hill’s mobster wife who gets swept away by the glamour. Then of course we have little Joe Pesci as one of the funniest and scariest villians in the history of cinema as the very unpredictable Tommy - “I’m funny fucking how?”

Scorsese works magic with his direction, constantly keeping the film moving. There is memorable moments galore including the long tracking shot where Hill leads Karen through the back of a restaurant to the best table in the house, a symbol of how Hill made his way to the top. The final hour of the film is explosive in its depiction of a paranoid, drugged-up day in the life of Hill.

It’s a violent film and it needs to be. A wonderful story told about a life the rest of us thankfully do not lead, it never glorifies the lifestyle of the mobsters but is brutally honest in its depiction. On a final note, no Goodfellas, no Sopranos. That’s how good it is.

EXTRAS:

Commentary with director, cast and crew:

Well unfortunately this isn’t a full commentary and it’s actually just snippets of information from various sources. However it is very good stuff to listen to. Scorsese is very informative and has a laugh about De Niro’s later scenes. Lorraine Bracco talks about The Sopranos and butting heads with Scorsese. De Niro talks about his relation with Scorsese. Paul Sorvino talks about how he hated the film and his performance after first seeing it. There’s also great stuff from Thelma Schoonmaker, Nicholas Pileggi, Ray Liotta, Frank Vincent - all the usual suspects (except Joe Pesci sadly). Well worth a listen to.

Commentary with Henry Hill and FBI Agent :

Very interesting hearing Hill’s take on the real events depicted onscreen. There are a lot of moments though where they don’t have anything to say. Obviously getting too caught up in how amazing the film is.

Getting Made:

Very good half hour documentary that goes into great detail about the making of the film. All the usual suspects are in here including interviews with De Niro, Pesci and Scorsese.

The Workaday Gangster:

A number of major players such as Henry Hill, Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi talk frankly about the actual lifestyle of mobsters. Certainly doesn’t glorify their tragic existence.

The Goodfellas Legacy:

Fun interviews with directors who are big fans of the movies including Jon Favrue, Frank Darabont and the Hughes brothers. Shows how well the film has influenced so many filmmakers since.

Paper is Cheaper Than Film:

A short documentary showing the storyboard-to-screen comparisons.

Trailer: Great trailer with that deep voice guy narrating.

 

FEATURE: 93%

EXTRAS: 100%

 

OVERALL: 95%

One of the best films of all time is treated to a great double disc set with input from all the major players.

 

Stewart McLaren

 

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2nd Opinion:

Undoubtedly one of the greatest gangster films ever made; far outshining The Godfather, in my humble opinion. This is a film that can be watched time and time again, whilst never losing its impact.

Sean Sweeney