Goodfellas

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10/06/2025

Goodfellas is Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed 1990 crime epic that chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a small-time Brooklyn kid who becomes deeply embedded in the Italian-American mafia world.

The story begins in the 1950s with young Henry Hill, half-Irish and half-Italian, who becomes fascinated by the glamorous lifestyle of the local gangsters in his working-class neighborhood. Despite not being full Italian, Henry manages to work his way into the Lucchese crime family, starting as a errand boy and gradually earning respect through his loyalty and street smarts.

Henry partners with Jimmy Conway, a charismatic but volatile Irish-American associate, and Tommy DeVito, a hot-tempered and unpredictable enforcer. Together, they build a lucrative operation involving truck hijackings, bookmaking, and various other criminal enterprises. The film depicts their lifestyle as intoxicating – expensive suits, lavish parties, respect from the community, and seemingly unlimited money and power.

As Henry rises through the ranks, he marries Karen, a Jewish woman who initially struggles with but eventually accepts his criminal lifestyle. The film shows how deeply the mafia culture permeates every aspect of their lives, from family gatherings to business dealings.

The crew’s fortunes peak with the famous Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport in 1978, which nets them millions of dollars. However, paranoia and greed begin to tear the group apart. Jimmy starts systematically eliminating anyone connected to the heist to avoid leaving witnesses, while Tommy’s increasingly erratic behavior puts everyone at risk.

Henry’s life begins unraveling when he starts dealing drugs against his boss’s explicit orders. His cocaine addiction clouds his judgment and makes him sloppy, eventually leading to his arrest. Facing a long prison sentence and fearing for his life – particularly after Tommy is murdered by the family for killing a “made man” – Henry makes the ultimate betrayal.

In 1980, Henry decides to cooperate with the FBI and enters the Witness Protection Program. His testimony helps convict many of his former associates, including Jimmy Conway. The film ends with Henry reflecting on his new life as a suburban nobody, lamenting the loss of the excitement and respect he once enjoyed.

The movie masterfully portrays how the allure of easy money and power ultimately leads to paranoia, violence, and betrayal. Through Henry’s narration, Scorsese creates an intimate portrait of organized crime that’s both seductive and ultimately tragic, showing how the very lifestyle that initially empowered Henry eventually destroys everything he valued.

Goodfellas

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