Goodfellas [Old Version]

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If you have ever had the curiosity to know how the Italian Mafia truly operates, then "Goodfellas" is a film with great insight. In an ironic way, it could be looked at as a documentary into its own self-indulging, dark, and criminally glamorous lifestyle. For many people, the Mafia has always been one of fascination and interest, to say the least. In fact, "Goodfellas" is the kind of movie that has you rooting for the bad guy no matter how twisted the vehemence of the characters is. This is also a film that has been compared to "The Godfather," but I'm sure I'm not the first to say there is no comparison. "The Godfather" brings you closer to a family history, where "Goodfellas" brings you closer to the business operations and lifestyle of being a gangster. "Goodfellas" is a cream-of-the-crop movie on its own and respectively is one of director Martin Scorsese´s crowning achievements.

"Goodfellas," based on Nicholas Pileggi's book "Wiseguy," is the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his rise and fall through the Italian Mafia. We begin at Henry's childhood in the Bronx during the early 1950's, where he begins to work at Paul Sicero's (Paul Sorvino) cab stand. Of course, we learn quickly that there is a lot more that takes place at that cab stand then anyone needs to know. Later we are introduced to Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), who I believe upstages Ray Liotta's character throughout the entire film. Once our characters are introduced and in their place, the story takes us through a ride of criminal corruption, charisma, and, of course, violence. Making money in the Mafia seems easy enough as Henry points out in his narration, "When we wanted something we just took it. If someone complained, we'd hit ´em so hard they'd never complain again."

Henry meets the love of his life, Karen (Lorraine Bracco), and through a short period of dating they tie the knot. They soon have children, and with Henry's lifestyle their marriage is doomed for a rocky ride. At one point our criminal trio decides to whack a made man for insulting Tommy, in Henry's bar. This eventually leads to other problems as well, as Henry and a few other thugs end up in prison for a completely different incident. In prison you learn that wiseguys are treated with class and are given living conditions not far from the makings of a Motel 6. We even get a cooking lesson, which I feel should be in every Italian Mafia movie, if it isn't already. Paulie has a way of shaving garlic so thin that it will liquefy in the pan. This is where I put the movie on pause and tried the cooking tip, and wouldn't you know it, it really does liquefy.

While in prison Henry hooks up into the drug-dealing market and finds it to be a lucrative business soon after he is released. Paulie, warns him to stay away from the garbage, but Henry finds the temptation of money and drugs irresistible. This is where the film steps away from the Italian family ties and sends Henry into a downward spiral and eventually into witness protection.

I've always found the last thirty minutes of the film to be slightly separated from its beginning foundations so well established at the start. Of course, the film is about Henry Hill, and Scorsese does an outstanding job at administering the Mafia platform but keeps a staunch focus on the main character. I have to admit I found De Niro´s and Pesci's characters far more interesting and entertaining; after all, this is the film that won Joe Pesci an Academy Award for best supporting actor. I have to believe Scorsese was very aware of how well the formula of putting these two actors together worked. After all, he brought them back together in 1995 to do "Casino."