As a cinephile who grew up watching Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel dissect films on their iconic television series, I can attest to the profound impact Goodfellas has had on me, much like how it lingered with the late, great critic for days after he saw it. The film’s gritty realism, masterful performances, and unparalleled storytelling make it a must-watch for any movie enthusiast.
Individuals who haven’t yet experienced director Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed gangster film, “Goodfellas,” can discover why Ray Liotta’s character, Henry Hill, yearned to be a gangster when this movie becomes available on Paramount+ starting Friday, November 1. With a stellar cast led by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, the film has earned an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Additionally, the late, esteemed movie critic, Roger Ebert, awarded the film a perfect four-star rating. In his captivating review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Ebert wrote that “Goodfellas” left an indelible impression on him long after he watched it. As quoted on RogerEbert.com, Ebert stated:
After watching Martin Scorsese’s latest film, GoodFellas, for two days, the feelings of the characters persisted within me, unwilling to depart. It was a sensation of guilt and remorse, of hasty foolish choices leading to squandered lives, of loyalty transforming into deception. However, there was also a hint of secret yearning, for moments that perhaps shouldn’t be cherished, but were.
Ebert, famously recognized for co-hosting the movie critique TV show “At the Movies“, further shared his thoughts on the film “Goodfellas” by expressing:
The majority of films, including excellent ones, tend to dissipate like morning mist after you leave the theater; they may leave lasting impressions, but their presence in reality diminishes rather swiftly. However, this film stands apart from the norm. It captures America’s greatest director at his creative zenith. No other movie about organized crime can match its brilliance, not even The Godfather, despite the fact that they are not exactly alike.
Roger Ebert Praises Martin Scorsese’s Work on Goodfellas
Movie enthusiasts will never come across Martin Scorsese’s film “Goodfellas” listed among Roger Ebert’s harshest criticisms. Quite the contrary, in his assessment of the 1990 movie, Ebert declared that only Scorsese was deserving of turning Nicholas Pileggi’s 1985 non-fiction book, “Wiseguy,” into a Silver Screen masterpiece, as he wrote in the same review.
Martin Scorsese is perfectly suited and uniquely qualified to direct this project. His extensive knowledge of the material stems from his personal experiences growing up in New York’s Little Italy as an outsider, where he spent his time observing the world around him rather than participating in it. Despite having health issues that prevented him from engaging in typical childhood activities, Scorsese’s asthmatic condition did not hinder his keen eye for detail. In fact, his unique perspective often left him unnoticed, but never failed to capture everything happening around him.
Ebert went on extolling Scorsese’s filmmaking genius in the epic crime drama, “Goodfellas,” likening it to some of his cherished directorial achievements, such as “The Departed” and the dramatic boxing classic, “Raging Bull,” for which he won an Oscar. In his review, Ebert stated:
In all his notable works such as the outstanding films of the 70s (“Taxi Driver”) and 80s (“Raging Bull”), Martin Scorsese has not been more effective at delving into a character’s mind than in the final scenes of “GoodFellas.” Here, he presents a single day in Henry Hill’s life, showing his attempts to execute a cocaine transaction, prepare dinner for his family, mollify his mistress, and grapple with the feeling that he’s being watched.
If you’re eagerly anticipating the chance to watch one of the greatest gangster movies ever produced, the electrifying collaboration between Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci is now accessible for streaming on Max. It’s important to mention that Pesci was honored with an Academy Award (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) for his performance in Goodfellas at the 1991 Oscars – a film that was nominated for a total of six prestigious awards.
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2024-10-27 20:04