You think I'm here to criticize movies for you?

Rating: 10/10 (27 September 2002)

When encouraging people, who have yet to view this masterpiece, to get down the video shop and hire this wonderful film, I describe the opening scene. (*spoiler*) Three guys are in a car, at night. One of them hears a noise, so they pull over. One takes out a gun, another draws a knife. The boot of the car is opened to reveal a beaten up guy in distress. The knife armed fella proceeds to repeatedly stab the victim. Then the guy with the gun shoots him several times. It was this opening scene that instantly drew me in to this film, and developed my love for gangster movies. The only film to shock me in it's opening sequence the same way since then is Saving Private Ryan. A rare attribute in a movie indeed. So what about the rest of the 2+ hours of this movie? The casting is perfect. Old hands to Scorsese films, De Niro and Pesci must have been obvious choices. Pesci especially as the frightening Tommy. He even admitted in an interview that he scared himself at times. Ray Liotta has the performance of his lifetime, unfortunately it looks like he will never have the opportunity to top it. And Paul Sorvino proves the point that saying nothing can speak volumes in his role as mafia boss Paulie. The film covers three decades of the characters lives in the mafia and the music, costumes and settings help carry you through the years believably without trying to shove the time period in your face. The true magic of this film is that you are drawn into the characters lives, despite knowing that they are the sort of people that you would normally despise. This is done through the fast paced storyline and dialogue. You are continually shocked by the characters actions because, at the end of the day, life in the mafia is a life with friends who will shake your hand one day, and shoot you in the back the next. If you haven't seen this film yet, stop what your doing get down the rental shop, and 'make that coffee to go!'