Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) is a local boy who dreams of becoming a gangster. To start off, he gets a job with a gangster, eventually skipping school to work fulltime. As he grows, he becomes good friends with two important "legitimate businessmen:" Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). Together, they pull off the biggest robberies in New York. They make thousands of dollars, paying off their mob boss, Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino), as well.
One night, Henry goes out on a blind date and meets a girl, Karen (Lorraine Bracco), whom he ends up marrying, and having a couple kids with. But, Henry isn't faithful at all, as he has a mistress on the side.
Things seem to go along smooth for Henry: he finishes many jobs, makes thousands of dollars, and keeps his wife and lover happy for many years. But, Henry's life starts to crumble when Karen finds out about his mistress. Then, he is arrested, along with Tommy, Jimmy, and Paulie. But, the time he does in the slammer is easy time, and he is out in less than ten years.
Once out, Henry decides to get into another illegal racket in order to make money: cocaine. Against the direct orders of Paulie, he continues selling the drug, and makes a tidy profit.
In the meantime, Tommy is about to become a made man - something only "pure" Italians could become. But Tommy doesn’t make it out alive.
Henry and Jimmy have a falling out stemming from the fact that Tommy was killed, and Paulie finds out that Henry lied to him about the cocaine.
Henry must now face the fact that he might have to break one of the mob's oldest, and most sacred rules: keep your mouth shut. He just might have to rat out his best friend and boss at the cost of his own life. His wife of 25 years already divorced him... what else does he have to loose?
Goodfellas is a mob movie that tells the inside workings of the mafia in a way that had not been told up until then. Even The Godfather didn’t do it better. It is unique in the fact that it is based on the factual accounts of the real Henry Hill. In a lot of ways, the story transfer from book to screenplay had not been "Hollywoodized" as many films are.
The graphic violence, the swearing, everything about the film is real. Nothing is cheapened, dumbed down. Director Martin Scorsese took the raw power of the novel and turned it into pure action, heart-pounding drama. The film has stood the test of time, remaining on of the world favourite films, a tribute to Martin Scorsese’s genius.
Plot: 
Powerful. It's one of, if not the best of all the mob movies out there. It's blow you away. Literally.
From start to finish, we are absorbed into a different world, one most men will never know. It is a dangerous place, to be sure, and director Martin Scorsese takes us along for the ride in dramatic fashion. Kudos.
Visual Effects: 
The bloodshed, the gun fire, it's all gruesome, awesome and well done.
Sound:
Character Development:
All Henry wants is to become a gangster, but by the end of the film, that is the last thing he wants be. We see a real change in Hill’s attitude, and for once, it’s genuine and real.
Atmosphere: 
Goodfellas is a movie that's easy to get into, and because of it's content, is quite gruesome which might turn off many people... but don't let that stop you from watching... it's a great movie.
Realism:
This is an actual, real-life account of the real Henry Hill: his life growing up, his mob connections, and how he went into hiding.
Warren’s Rating:
Other movies nominated for Best Picture with it:
Awakenings; Dances With Wolves; Ghost; The Godfather Part III
9.29/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
21-06-03
Updated 28-01-07
Age at win: 48
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Tommy DeVito, Goodfellas
Nomination: 2/2 (acting), 2/2 (total); Win: Only
Joe Pesci is the kind of actor that has been typecast as a gangster, a mob villain. He has played other characters in comedic roles, such as Leo Getz in the Lethal Weapon movies. Since 1998's Lethal Weapon 4, Joe hasn't done a single movie (where are you?).
Joe is amazing in his role as Tommy DeVito, and deserved to win. There is not much to say about the role. His own mother, after having seen the film, asked him if he needed to swear so much. (The "F" word is used 246 times in the film (mostly by Pesci)).
When Pesci's Tommy is killed - whacked - the look that comes across his face is just priceless. A great - and deservedly awarded - performance. I still feel that Graham Green from Dances with Wolves should have won the Oscar, but Pesci gives and equally deserving performance.
21-06-03
Updated 28-01-07
