Nobody does gangsters better than Scorsese

Rating: 10/10 (7 April 2020)

There's something really quite visceral about Goodfellas. Yes, one can dive into the more practical and technical reasons as to why its a great film (which I'll attempt to do), but ultimately its one of those films you finish watching and can't help but sit back and think wow.
I'm yet to see every Scorsese film, but this is top of the one's I've seen (including Taxi Driver, The Irishman and Wolf of Wall Street) - everything he does is just masterful. From the opening narration you just know you're in for a fantastic time with this film. One thing that really stands out are the characters. As mentioned above nobody does gangster films like Scorsese, and Goodfellas immerses us in the world of organised crime so craftily, fully and intelligently that it feels like there is a treat, nuance and reward in every single scene.
What I really enjoy about Scorsese's direction is his approach to violence. It's never gratuitous, and is often used sparingly, which really makes it stand out and gives it greater weight. It goes back to something Karen says in the film whereby the life of organised crime becomes normal to her after time (or words to that effect). I think as a viewer we experience something similar, in that we perceive the characters as 'good guys' in the sense that they are our protagonists, but the violence serves to snap us out of that and is used to great effect.
The characters in Goodfellas really push forward the story, and there is so much to digest and pick through in their actions that you will be constantly engaged. What Scorsese really does well is the relationships between the characters, with some standouts being Liotta's Henry and his wife Karen, as well as the triumvirate of Henry, De Niro's Jimmy and Pesci's Tommy. All three were fantastic, and Pesci's Oscar win is thoroughly deserved.
Scorsese's humour was on point as always, subtle and strewn across character, script and direction. I must also applaud the score for Goodfellas - perhaps the best for a Scorsese film? It just sets the tone so well for the film and added to the total immersion.
To sum up - watch Goodfellas if you know what's good for you!