In the pantheon of the greatest movies ever made, Goodfellas is a masterpiece. As the Martin Scorsese gangster movie to end all Martin Scorsese gangster movies, it’s constantly raised as the best of its genre — yes, above The Godfather — if not the best film of all time.
Goodfellas marked its 35th anniversary on September 21 and it’s a testament to its longevity that fans of the movie say they can’t stop watching it. Brutal, rowdy and funny, the film’s propulsive energy makes its 2.5 hour runtime fly by.
Based on a true story, Goodfellas chronicles the spectacular rise and fall of Mafia associate Henry Hill, played by then-relative unknown Ray Liotta. Completing the trio are legends Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in career-highlight performances that won Pesci an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role as an unhinged mobster.
Goodfellas has some of the most iconic lines in cinema starting from its very opening: « As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. »
Henry grew up idolising the gangsters in his Brooklyn neighbourhood. As a youngster, De Niro’s character, Jimmy Conway, takes him under his wing and the movie follows Henry as climbs the ranks of the New York mob and lives the high life in the 1960s and 70s.
All good things come to an end, however, and Henry’s inevitable downfall is not to be missed.
On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, critics have given the film a 94% rating, with fans going further with a 97% score. The critics consesus says: « Hard-hitting and stylish, GoodFellas is a gangster classic — and arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese’s career. »
What’s behind Goodfellas’ longevity? One reason often cited by fans and critics is that Goodfellas is endlessly entertaining. The movie thrums with a propulsive energy and it’s simply fun to watch.
The ensemble cast’s performances and the film’s sharp editing have been endlessly praised.
Explaining its appeal over a classic like The Godfather, The Independent wrote: « It is also uproarious to watch and often hilarious. That is arguably why it eclipses The Godfather Parts One and Two and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America.
« These are important, austere gangster epics, caught up in their own tragic grandeur. Goodfellas is, by contrast, a hoot, a caper, a romp. Many of its best scenes are essentially comic. »
New York Magazine’s review back in 1990 broke down its appeal: « Goodfellas is a true hybrid, a movie packed with factual interest of a documentary but also the excitements of pace, humor, and violence that only a great fiction director can provide. »
Fast forward to 2025, Screenrant reflected on the film’s legacy: « Martin Scorsese made something special in Goodfellas. It was so brilliant that some fans might consider it better than The Godfather. While that remains debatable, there is no discounting its standing in film history as one of the best gangster movies ever made. »
Over the years, film buffs online have gathered to discuss Goodfellas’ timeless appeal. One user on the Reddit’s movies forum shared: « For whatever reason, I always watch Goodfellas over Christmas and every year I forget how incredible it is.
« Ray Liotta is impeccable, De Niro is stunning, and Lorraine Bracco is just spectacular. How spectacular is she? That much. I have no idea how this was so overlooked by all the awards. It’s the best movie ever made. »
A five-star review on Letterboxd raved: « An operatic descent into paranoia, a gorgeous soda-pop evocation of a seductive and vibrant world, a character study of despicable but human individuals, and a study of a changing criminal landscape; Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is arguably his masterpiece, and It’s a perfect example of Scorsese’s exceptional style and his fascination with flawed people.
« With a never-ending rhythm of pop anthems that highlight, boost, and crank the infectious energy up to an almost obtainable level, this magnum opus grooves and flows like mercury that just ran out of a broken thermometer. »
One Letterboxd user wrote: « Each cut, freeze frame and needle drop, are immaculately selected, placed and timed. This might be the GOAT for editing. Thelma [Schoonmaker] is a complete master of her craft. »
Goodfellas is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.
