GoodFellas is, by all means the most cinematically perfect film I have ever watched. The film is masterfully directed by Martin Scorsese, and features all-star actor who should narrate everyone's life, Robert De Niro. It fits so perfectly into the genre of gangster and Mafia crime films that I could not possibly think of a movie that could even be remotely similar to the masterpiece that is this film.
To begin, let us start with the phenomenal shots in this film. Scorsese is a renowned director, and this is for many reasons. He flawlessly transitions between scenes, and regularly does one-shot sections that are fantastic, such as the scene where the main character, Henry Hill, brings his date to the Copacabana which is a Mafia-owned club. In this scene, we follow Henry and his date as they walk from the outside of the club, through an alternate entrance, through the kitchen, up stairs, out to the main floor of the restaurant where two employees procure a table for the couple, we watch Henry Hill and his date both receive a lovely bottle of liquor from one of Henry's friends, and begin to watch a musical performance. All of this, in one seamless shot. There are many other scenes like this, where we follow Henry or one of his friends enter and exit houses, restaurants, buildings of all variety, and even vehicles. Never in my life had I not known I needed something so badly until I had it. This film's camerawork is spectacular on all levels. The cuts that Scorsese does utilize are masterfully placed, such as the opening of doors to give us a shot of the main character standing on the front porch, and passing time to quick confrontations with other characters in the film.
Critical to every film is a phenomenal list of actors, which this movie certainly produces. There are all star names here, including Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, JOE PESCI, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. These actors, and just about all other minor characters in this film produce an excellent performance that fits so perfectly in with the Mafia theme in this movie that you might ask yourself, "What do these guys really know about the Mafia?" Their performances are so convincing and so natural that you could believe that these men did indeed partake in Mafia activities in their lifetime.
The soundtrack truly sets this film apart. It's soundtrack, like all else in the film, develops a fantastic sense of immersion into the time period and the world of the Mafia. I can't spend too much time on it because you've seen it before in Mafia movies; slow, smooth songs, fantastic singing, dancing music, the works. The music makes many scenes and truly makes a great scene absolutely flawless.
I cannot recommend this film enough. It is the most fantastic movie I have ever laid eyes and ears upon. It's a cinematic and audio treat that should only be reserved for those who have made enough money to understand the film. GoodFellas ranks as a fantastical Good-Good and really is a fantastic movie. I can't stress that enough. You know how an Italian chef tastes something he made, then kisses his fingers, and says something like "a masterpiece" in Italian? That's how I feel about this movie. It truly is a treat, and I cannot recommend it enough.
For similar movies, look at:
The Untouchables (It's got De Niro for Christ Sake.)
The Godfather (It's the Godfather, do I really need to explain this?)
Casino (De Niro AND Pesci? Sign me up.)
Public Enemies (Johnny Depp plays a mafioso in the 20s. Can get better, but it's pretty hard.)
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