1990
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Sometimes I feel like if you have seen one gangster movie, you have seen them all (particularly since Robert De Niro is constantly the star). However, this film is certainly something special. Hell, it's worth seeing just for the opening lines.
Henry Hill has aspired to be a gangster his entire life. He jumps at the opportunity to work for a local mob leader Paulie Cicero and his associates Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. The plot is pretty standard as far as this genre goes: Henry rises, Henry falls.
It is hard to put my finger on what makes this movie unique. In a lot of ways, it is like every gangster movie we have seen before. The performances are obviously spectacular. At this point, you kind of expect Robert De Niro to be amazing. Joe Pesci's skills caught me by surprise, as I didn't find his performance in Raging Bull to be that impressive. Perhaps the reason this one stands out to me is the likability of the characters, as our usual mobsters are crass rapists.
Definitely one of my favorite Scorsese films. And if you like it, you can then watch Casino which is basically the same thing.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
The word "fuck" is used 321 times.
Tommy's mother was actually played by Martin Scorsese's mother.
Yes .. another of those I shouldn't like, I should object to .. glamourization of nasty people, glorification of riches, justification of violence .. and far to much f'in swearing.
ReplyDeleteBut I still think it's a great film. Sorry to be obvious, but the steady cam shot is great Even if it make you hate him and his type even more.
I liked this one more than I expected to.
DeleteThis is another film that I really should love but I just couldn't get into it at all. What makes it more strange is that I love gangster films...I'm not fussy at all, if it's mob related I am happy (most of the time!) I love Scorsese. I love De Niro!
ReplyDeleteI think my intense hatred of Ray Liotta in this film probably did not help. I even hated Pesci in it. I even hated the I'm funny how? scene! The film shall remain a mystery to me haha!
I have so many of those films that I "should" love but never have. Why do you hate Ray Liotta? I don't think I have ever met anyone who had a strong opinion on him either way haha
DeleteI felt a bit sorry for Liotta as he wasn't bad exactly but was thoroughly outclassed by the acting talent around him and became the obvious weak spot in the film. Can't say I hated him for it though - that's a strong word, isn't it?
DeleteWell I don't hate the man personally or anything :) His whole performance just grates on me. I felt like I could see him acting if that makes sense. Everything just felt wrong for me in it...but I mean it's the whole film I hate too. It's not just his fault :D
DeleteHe tried his best, but...
DeleteAnother thing is the sheer amount of screen time he had. Take a look at the movie poster and you'll see a gangster piece by Martin Scorcese (tick!) starring Robert De Niro (tick!) and Joe Pesci (tick!). Oh boy, this is going to be good. Except, I have to spend more than half the film rehearsing the disappointment I would feel seeing a well-intentioned Andy Garcia in Godfather III remind us all just how great the cast of Parts I & II were.
You have a point there...I like to pretend part 3 never happened :D
DeleteAmanda, Have a look at the recent comments bar and see how that got edited to fit. Oh gosh, what have I said to upset someone, and what did they say? .. but no worries .. not me after all...
ReplyDelete