Goodfellas – Budget of $25 million – 2 hours and 25 minutes

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Henry is the child of an Italian mother and an Irish father.  They are both hard working people but Henry doesn’t admire them.  He admires they guys he sees outside his window.  They are mobsters and they are lead by Pauly.  Pauly is a big guy that is known to move slowly because he moves for no one.  Henry admires the respect everyone in the neighborhood gives them. He wants that respect too.  So he gets a job at Pauly’s shop and works legitimately for a while.  But is not long before he starts stealing, fighting, and committing arson.  Soon, Pauly connects Henry with Jimmy and Tommy.  However, when Henry beats a charge without ratting out the crew, he becomes a Goodfella.  While he can’t be a Made guy because of his heritage, he will always have the respect and loyalty of the crew.  But when Henry breaks the rules, respect and loyalty go out the window.

Based on Wiseguys by Nicholas Pileggi, this is the movie that told the mobster story in a different light (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  By showing the glitz and glamour of life as a mobster, it’s easy to see how people get sucked into easy money even as children.  But this story stands out because it’s not told just through the eyes of Henry.  It’s also told through the eyes of Karen, his wife.  People often wonder about the women who fall in love with mobsters, gangsters, and killers.  She puts all the cards on the table.  From their first date to him wooing her to seeing him be violent, she fell deeper in love with him.  This movie doesn’t have Tommy Gun shootouts or crazy chase scenes.  Its slow pace sets the tone and allows you to get to know each and every character intimately and let the story unfold naturally.  This is a classic to watch.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Everyone takes a beating sometimes – Henry

I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with you. You wasted 8 aprons on that guy. We gotta toughen the kid up – Pauly

Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut – Jimmy

By the time I finished meeting everybody, I thought I was drunk – Karen

That’s what the worlds coming do. How you like that – Tommy

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