Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
20 critical concepts · 5 source reviews
Key concepts and themes extracted from professional criticism
Where critics find common ground in admiration
Recurring hesitations and reservations
Overall, 'GoodFellas' received high critical acclaim and won multiple awards, solidifying its status as a significant film in cinema history.
praiseThe film achieved strong box office success, indicating its wide appeal among audiences during its release.
praiseThe film's use of pop music enhances its lively tone, contributing to a sense of excitement and hysteria.
praiseThe film's exploration of gangster life is marred by the suggestion of sentimentality and dysfunction, which can feel excruciating at times.
criticismPesci's Oscar win is seen as a double-edged sword, marking both a well-deserved recognition and the potential for typecasting.
criticismScorsese's direction is celebrated for its ability to maintain a brisk and engaging pace throughout the film.
praiseThe screenplay provides unstoppable storytelling that captivates the audience with its energy and excitement.
praiseThe performances by De Niro, Pesci, and Liotta are highlighted as outstanding, showcasing the actors' top form in their roles.
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How reviewers are contextualising this film within cinema history
Professional criticism informing this consensus
“Pesci’s Oscar for Goodfellas – as best supporting actor, naturally – was both a worthy recognition and a prelude to a pigeonholing, as Oscars so often are.”
“As Tommy DeVito, Pesci plays volatile sideman to the more controlled burn of his frequent on-screen partner Robert De Niro, as well as the film’s younger narrator, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta).”
“Gangsters claimed the No. 1 spot at the box office during a sleepy moviegoing weekend.”
“The critically admired “GoodFellas,” from Warner Bros. and director Martin Scorsese, had opening weekend ticket sales of $6.4 million on 1,070 screens, for a per-screen average of $5,981.”
“Martin Scorsese’s “GoodFellas” won five awards, including those for best picture and best director, at Saturday’s year-end voting by the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.”
“The mob drama, adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction bestseller about career New York hoods, also won supporting actor awards for Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco.”
“The violent yet highly praised Martin Scorsese film “GoodFellas” collected prizes for best picture of 1990 and best director from the National Society of Film Critics in voting on Sunday in New York.”
“The wins give the gangland drama and Scorsese a clean sweep of the three major critics organizations’ year-end balloting.”
“Scorsese’s 1990 masterpiece zips along with relish, and his acting A-team – De Niro, Pesci, Liotta – are on top form as this brilliant comic nightmare unfolds”
“Goodfellas barrels along with unstoppable storytelling relish, its jukebox slams of pop music repeatedly convulsing the movie with sugar-rush excitement amounting almost to hysteria”