A Masterpiece in EVERY since of the word

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2007)

Some people opt for Mean Streets, some for Taxi Driver, some for Raging Bull, some for Goodfellas, some for The Departed, etc....
For me, the greatest Scorsese film is Goodfellas. While I feel Scorsese directed Raging Bull with more intensity and detail, his work on Goodfellas is still close but the script works better and the acting ensemble gives electrifying performances.
Ray Liotta was unfairly snubbed of an Oscar nomination for his star making turn here. It was probably because he didn't have a big profile like his co-star De Niro and other nominees that year like Jeremy Irons and Gerard Depardieu. It was a mistake on the Academy and the Globes and critics awards to not recognize him.
Robert De Niro gave an Oscar worthy performance that could've got him a Supporting nod. Paul Sorvino was good but was the weaker link out of the main cast....but still very good.
Joe Pesci created such a vile character and in the process won a very well deserved Oscar for it. His performance is very memorable and quite surprising.
Lorraine Bracco's Karen is probably the most sympathetic lead in the movie and she should've won an Oscar instead of Whoopi Goldberg (who should have won for The Color Purple). The scene where she threatens Ray Liotta after finding out that he is having an affair with Janet "YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A WHORE!!" Rossi and for it to backfire on her was incredible. She is a talented woman and I hope she gets more work now with The Sopranos over.
The script, the editing, the sound, the music, the cinematography, the acting, and the direction....all superb and Oscar worthy!!