Goodfellas

Goodfellas is awesome, it exudes life experience and it is very likely one Martin Scorsese’s best film. Robert De Niro is excellent and Joe Pesci is truly unforgettable and deservedly received an Oscar. A masterpiece of world cinematography. (2004-03-10)

Scorsese is a household name in the realm of mafia films today, and Goodfellas, made by him, is a shining diamond that stands out from afar. Like The Godfather, Goodfellas doesn’t rely on heavy doses of action and shootouts, but rather on a well-crafted story, incredibly witty dialogues, and the best ensemble cast around. The main trio of actors made no mistakes throughout the film that would cause me to rethink my opinion. The dialogues delivered by Liotta as the narrator had me laughing out loud multiple times. De Niro's stone-faced demeanor was flawless once again. And Pesci? He’s a demon who undoubtedly deserved an Oscar for his supporting role. I wouldn’t want to befriend such a hot-headed man with a gun at his side, knowing I could lose my head at any moment. If the other actors shone, Joe Pesci simply doesn’t seem like he’s from this planet. An unforgettable performance, in my opinion. Another strength of the film was its portrayal of the absurdities in the everyday lives of mobsters, which a normal person can hardly imagine. It’s a true experience that won’t easily fade from my memory. And the scene with Pesci’s removal? I haven’t seen such an unpredictable and brilliantly conceived scene in a long time. I give it 91%. (2017-01-27)

It may not be the best film among gangster movies, but it is certainly a significant above-average. In comparison, for example, with the French film A Prophet, it lacks the feeling of absolute authenticity and, on the other hand, I feel a certain, albeit not big, effort to make the gangster environment more attractive, which is understandable for commercial reasons. Probably the most remarkable role by Ray Liotta, who later couldn't capitalize his talent as he probably imagined. The film depicts the arrival of an ambitious boy among the local gang and his gradual rise in the criminal environment, which eventually leads to his arrest and cooperation with the police. Scorsese is an experienced director and in these waters, he feels at home, and he relied on a number of top actors perfectly corresponding to the viewer's ideas about mafia bosses and their buddies. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci already have a patent for similar roles. Overall impression: 90%. (2010-03-11)

Scorsese’s grand work about gangsters from a slightly different perspective than we are used to, for instance, in The Godfather. This isn’t about the top ranks of the Mafia, but simply about the pawns for whom this is a job like any other. Perfect acting performances and unforgettable dialogs are just the tip of the iceberg of this perfectly cut and faceted diamond. (2007-08-24)

I simply don't remember "The Godfather", I can't remember everything, even though I have seen this legendary movie as well. However, I am quite curious if it is really that brilliant because it has a huge competition in "The Sopranos". Martin Scorsese showcases his knowledge of the Italian-American environment and once again shows us how capable he is of capturing human stories, especially the destruction of their lives. Robert De Niro takes a step back this time to allow Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta to stand out much more, especially for Liotta, it is definitely a life-changing role. (2013-11-05)