Introduction
I wanted to review Goodfellas, one of my favourite films, because it got the number one spot on the @magicoffilm Filmstagram Top 100. I rewatched Goodfellas for the second time a couple days ago and I truly believe it deserved the number one spot on the list (It's also my 4th favourite film). I don't like to over use this word too much, but Goodfellas is a masterpiece in filmmaking. It is simply top tier cinema. Everything from the adapted screenplay to the beautiful cinematography, Goodfellas is an art piece. My favourite things about Goodfellas is the characters, the acting, the fabulous directing, the script, the cinematography, the music, etc. There's nothing about this film that isn't perfect. I'll go into more detail now.
De Niro & Conway
Goodfellas has undoubtedly some of the best performances in the history of cinema. The three main characters give fantastic performances (as do everyone else, especially Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino). Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway is so perfect. From the opening scene as the legendary, 28/29 year old Jimmy Conway, to the phone booth scene, De Niro plays this character perfectly. I especially loved that you can see the difference between his fake and real laugh.
Pesci & DeVito
Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito, some could argue, is quite possibly the best performance ever. He takes on this fucked up character with such inner rage that you can feel through his eyes and through the screen. Tommy DeVito is such a complex psycho character and Pesci plays him perfectly. He deservedly won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. I would guess the main reason he won Best Supporting Actor was because of the "Funny How" scene. That scene is acting at its finest. Not to mention his speech. That is speeches at its finest .
Liotta & Hill
Finally, Ray Liotta as Henry Hill. Ray Liotta is such a talented actor and I simply don't understand why Scorsese didn't work with him ever again. He gives his career defining performance in Goodfellas and I just think he's so cool. You can see the transformation of his ego and power. You can also see where his downfall started, and why he ended up where he did. Ray Liotta plays this character as a guy who wanted to live like a king, lived like a king, and then ended up as a normal paycheck worker. He also gives one of my all time favourite narrations, along with Fight Club and Forrest Gump. The tone of his voice and his fake laugh is pure perfection.
Martin Scorsese
Scorsese is a living legend (and has the right to say Marvel isn't true cinema). This is my favourite film of his (from what I've seen) and this proves that he is, debatably, the best director ever to live. His style is so distinct, and his visions are extraordinary. Two of my favourite shots in any film are in Goodfellas. First one being when Hill, Conway and DeVito are burying a body in the mist of the read light from the car. Second one being when Lorraine Bracco is holding the gun up to Liotta's face. That whole scene is FANTASTIC! One of my favourite scenes of all time. I also love the "Funny How" scene, as does everyone. The cinematography is another thing about this film that's fantastic. The angles that are taken (especially for the one with Pesci getting "made") and the lighting that's chosen (I love how the main colour of the film is red, it emphasizes the danger and blood in this film) is fabulous. I also wanted to mention that the editing is amazing. It plays along with the fast pacing. Scorsese is simply a genius, and is still producing banging films, which he proved with The Irishman.
Screenplay
Goodfellas beholds one of my favourite screenplays. You get to live (almost) the whole life of Henry Hill for an 2 and a half hours, and you get to see how the Mafia lives and how they get to live like kings. Nicholas Pilegi adapted his book, Wiseguys, into a perfectly written script, with a touch of Scorsese magic. I can't wait to read Wiseguys because I want to see how well the book was adapted into a film. The characters are so well written, the true story is perfectly executed and is said to be the best representation of the Mafia in media entertainment, the suspense is built up brilliantly in every scene, and the pacing is unbelievable. Goodfellas may be 2.5 hours long, but when the film is finished, you wish it was longer. The fast pacing is perfect. It still gives you time to understand everything and appreciate/enjoy the film. The editing helps with the fast pacing. To sum up this paragraph, the script is perfect.
Music
Goodfellas is also one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. It brings you along this 30 year long journey with the different decades of music and lifestyle. Every song from "Life Is But A Dream" by The Harptones, to "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones perfectly fits the scene it's in. The music of this film truly enhances the viewing experience and brings you on this fabulous journey. I can't praise it anymore, you guys get the idea.
Conclusion
I could talk about this film for hours. I seriously love every shot, every scene and every second of this film. Goodfellas is one of the films that inspired me to become a filmmaker and it's one of those films that introduced me to the magical world of cinema. Goodfellas is top tier filmmaking and I'm so happy it go the number one spot on the Filmstagram Top 100. Perfectly crafted characters, amazing performances, fabulous directing and cinematography, great editing, perfectly chosen music, and a masterfully written script are the reasons why Goodfellas got number one on the list.
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