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'Goodfellas' shows us the inner workings of the mob better and more convincingly than any other movie, even The Godfather, which focuses more on the guys at the top, while this movie is about the guys at the bottom, the enforcers, those who kill and carry out the various assignments in the hopes of pleasing their masters, and getting made, but that can only happen to full-blooded Italians. It also emphasizes that organized crime syndicates may not be that organized, but it does stress the importance of family, and how poor, disaffected youths can find in the mafia, a sense of worth and self-respect, people who care for them like parents. At least, this is the perspective of Henry Hill (Liotta), our narrator, who joins as a teenager, working for Paulie (Paul Sorvino), the local boss, a man of few words, but feared by everybody in the neighborhood, which serves him faithfully, and are rewarded and protected for their loyalty. Henry meets Jimmy Conway (De Niro), a ruthless killer, who has been in jail, but is suave and charismatic, and well-liked, hence his nickname "The Gent". He even has good relations with the cops. Then, there is Tommy DeVito (Pesci), hot-headed, unstable, and cruel, who murders without compunction just about anyone, especially those he believes have insulted him, and their rank or influence mean very little to him. Henry runs operations with Jimmy and Tommy, and the three become nearly inseparable, always sure to give Paulie his cut, but also working against him, when they make the stupid mistake of getting involved in drugs, Henry ends up an addict, snorting more product than he sells, and this endangers his relationship with Paulie, and also threatens his marriage, to Karen (Bracco), who stands by him even after he cheats on her, beats her, goes to prison, but perhaps because she is as hopeless and pathetic as he. When they first start dating, Karen realizes that something is weird about Henry, who never seems to work that much, yet carries around huge wads of money, and buys her anything she wants, a powerful incentive to stick with him, and she finds it exciting when he gives her a blood-stained gun to hide. The drama between them unfolds, as well, during the course of the movie, as the characters grow older and presumably wiser, as Henry slips further and further downhill, as Jimmy turns into a successful businessman, as Paulie puts up with old age and probable retirement. The violence is unflinchingly realistic, the language excessively and gratuitously profane, most of it pouring from the mouth of Pesci, who won an Oscar for his performance, one of his best, as the volatile Tommy, whose recklessness comes back to haunt him. This is the definitive Pesci role. De Niro is wonderful as Jimmy, who becomes increasingly consumed by paranoia, and eliminates even his closest associates, so he doesn't have to share the spoils of a major heist with them. Only Henry seems to be spared his wrath, but that becomes less and less certain as time goes by. In one brilliant scene, we see Jimmy's victims being discovered around the city while the instrumental portion of Eric Clapton's Layla plays. It is one of many awesome songs used perfectly by Scorsese, who was cheated by the Academy when he failed to win Best Director, losing instead to Kevin Costner. 'Goodfellas' is a masterpiece, and it is hard to find a better example of Scorsese's phenomenal talent as a filmmaker, except maybe for Raging Bull. Liotta and Bracco are fantastic, perfectly matched as a couple, a couple that survives hardship and conflict of immense proportions, in a way that is strangely sweet and inspiring. 'Goodfellas' condemns organized crime, casts it in an unflattering light, does little to glorify it, though Henry's perception of it is very much idealistic and positive, but it shows how such an infernal system can destroy itself from within. And it is ultimately Henry who brings it all down, at least for Paulie and Jimmy. The film also empowers the women, Karen especially, who are independent and able to speak for themselves, though some are indeed trashy trophy wives and mistresses who get all kinds of gifts simply in exchange for providing sex and accompaniment to social events, like weddings and birthday parties. Scorsese is intimately familiar with this type of material, and 'Goodfellas' is riveting and mesmerizing for its uncompromising bluntness. Two notable and virtuoso scenes I wish to mention in conclusion, the first where Henry leads Karen through the back entrance of a swanky restaurant he frequents, the camera following him through the hallways and kitchen, right out into the dining area, where a table is quickly prepared for them in front of the stage. The second, where we get a glimpse of a hectic day for Henry, as he tries to cook dinner, make a few deliveries, and pick up his crippled brother at the hospital, all while being followed by a helico email this review to a friend
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