Performance & Direction: GoodFellas Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is GoodFellas (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 8.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and GoodFellas features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert De Niro . Supported by the likes of Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of GoodFellas (1990) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 8.5/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: GoodFellas
Quick Plot Summary: GoodFellas is a Drama, Crime film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The protagonist undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: GoodFellas
Ending Breakdown: GoodFellas brings together its narrative threads in a way that feels both earned and emotionally resonant. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, leaving audiences satisfied.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of GoodFellas demonstrate careful narrative planning, resulting in a conclusion that enhances the overall experience.
GoodFellas Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
GoodFellas incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: GoodFellas successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch GoodFellas?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: GoodFellas
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $25.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $47.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
GoodFellas Budget
The estimated production budget for GoodFellas is $25.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: GoodFellas
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Where to Watch GoodFellas Online?
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YouTubeGoodFellas Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about GoodFellas age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of GoodFellas is 145 minutes (2h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 8.5/10, and global collection metrics, GoodFellas stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1990 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoodFellas worth watching?
GoodFellas is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 8.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find GoodFellas parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for GoodFellas identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of GoodFellas?
The total duration of GoodFellas is 145 minutes, which is approximately 2h 25m long.
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Critic Reviews for GoodFellas
In a world that's powered by violence, on the streets where the violent have power, a new generation carries on an old tradition. Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is without question one of the finest gangster movies ever made, a benchmark even. It’s that rare occasion for a genre film of this type where everything artistically comes together as one. Direction, script, editing, photography, driving soundtrack and crucially an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. It’s grade “A” film making that marked a return to form for Scorsese whilst simultaneously showing the director at the summit of his directing abilities. The story itself, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction book Wiseguy, pulls absolutely no punches in its stark realisation of the Mafia lifestyle. It’s often brutal, yet funny, unflinching yet stylish, but ultimately from first frame to last it holds the attention, toying with all the human emotions during the journey, tingling the senses of those who were by 1990 fed up of popcorn movie fodder. It’s not romanticism here, if anything it’s a debunking of the Mafia myth, but even as the blood flows and the dialogue crackles with electricity, it always remains icy cool, brought to us by a man who had is eyes and ears open while growing up in Queens, New York in the 40s and 50s. Eccellente! 9/10
Martin Scorsese (director) always loves details in crime films, but he is not primarily interested in the crime itself. That is why his films are always produced with details that you may see as unimportant to you, especially if you want to see the movie for the purpose of seeing scenes of theft, murder, and so on, but you see the opposite. Somewhat other details are visible on the scene mostly The film talks about liberation, stereotypes, and entering a new world for humanity. It was Ray Liotta (Henry). He wanted, as I said, to break free from stereotypes and enter the world of gangs. Martin Scorsese (the director) filmed this unfamiliar life and directed it in the form of a film similar to documentaries because he filmed it as if it were a real, realistic life. That is why the presence of Voice Over was important in order to give you the feeling that there is a person sitting next to you telling you the story while whispering in your ear as it happens in the movies documentaries.
Ray Liotta is superb here as "Henry Hill", a man whom ever since he was young has been captivated by the mob. He starts off as a runner and before too long has ingratiated himself with the local fraternity lead by "Paulie" (Paul Sorvino) and is best mates with fellow hoods, the enigmatic and devious "Jimmy" (Robert De Niro) and the excellently vile "Tommy" (Joe Pesci). They put together an audacious robbery at JFK and are soon the talk of the town, but the latter in the trio is a bit of a live-wire and when he goes just a bit too far one night, the three of them find that their really quite idyllic lives of extortion and larceny start to go awry - and it's their own who are on their tracks. Scorsese takes him time with this story: the development of the characters - their personalities, trust, inter-reliance, sometimes divided, fractured, loyalties and ruthlessness and are built up in a thoroughly convincing fashion. We can, ourselves, see the obvious attractions for the young "Henry" of a life so very far removed from his working class Irish-Italian background - the wine, the women, the thrills; it's tantalising! If anything let's it down it's the last half hour; it's just a little too predictable and having spent so long building up the characters, we seem to be in just a bit too much of a rush; but that is a nit-pick. It's not the "Godfather" but it is not far short.
A really good film. i loved it!
The Goodfellas is an absolute masterpiece in every sense. Martin Scorsese delivers a raw, unflinching look into the world of organized crime that’s as captivating as it is brutal. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci shine, each bringing unforgettable depth and intensity to their roles—especially Pesci, whose portrayal of Tommy DeVito is both terrifying and fascinating. The storytelling is flawless, pulling you in with a mix of dark humor, sharp dialogue, and iconic scenes that stay with you long after the credits roll. Add in the perfect soundtrack, and it’s no wonder this film is considered a classic. The Goodfellas isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience that I can watch over and over again.
I enjoyed the film. Especially the character of Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro. Great Film!!
Martin Scorsese was at his best when he made GoodFellas. It received five Oscar nominations and a winner for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci. It's speechless for how great this movie was and it still is. GoodFellas is a fantastic crime drama and it's impeccably done throughout. The story is based on a true story ad it's taken place from 1955 to 1980. It tells a story about Henry Hill played by Ray Liotta narrating about his life as a gangster. Lorraine Bracco sometimes narrates as Karen Hill, aside from that, Ray Liotta does all the narrating. It's in the book. It's in the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi called Wiseguy. Of course, everyone knows the scene where Henry tells Tommy that he is funny cause the way he tells stories and Tommy says "What do you mean I'm funny?" "Funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?" This is a famous scene for Joe Pesci as his acting is incredible. As far as this film goes, this is a perfect film for everyone who is a huge fan of Martin Scorsese. It has a great story that is so true, fantastic Oscar winning acting by everyone who played great characters and best direction from Martin Scorsese. It's everyone's favourite film of all time and considered one of the greatest films of all time. Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut.
Martin Scorsese was at his best when he made GoodFellas. It received five Oscar nominations and a winner for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci. It's speechless for how great this movie was and it still is. GoodFellas is a fantastic crime drama and it's impeccably done throughout. The story is based on a true story ad it's taken place from 1955 to 1980. It tells a story about Henry Hill played by Ray Liotta narrating about his life as a gangster. Lorraine Bracco sometimes narrates as Karen Hill, aside from that, Ray Liotta does all the narrating. It's in the book. It's in the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi called Wiseguy. Of course, everyone knows the scene where Henry tells Tommy that he is funny cause the way he tells stories and Tommy says "What do you mean I'm funny?" "Funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?" This is a famous scene for Joe Pesci as his acting is incredible. As far as this film goes, this is a perfect film for everyone who is a huge fan of Martin Scorsese. It has a great story that is so true, fantastic Oscar winning acting by everyone who played great characters and best direction from Martin Scorsese. It's everyone's favourite film of all time and considered one of the greatest films of all time. Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut.
The film pulsates with a raw, kinetic energy that few crime dramas ever capture and even fewer sustain. From the slick suits and the endless slang to the sense of dangerous privilege, the world at the centre of the story is seductive, loud and chaotic. But beneath that surface glitz is a quieter, creeping rot—friendships fraying, rules being broken, loyalty turning into self-interest. The direction is confident and ruthless. Scenes of violence erupt almost as glibly as jokes, glamour flips into terror with no pause. The camera virtually breathes with the characters, pulling us into their atmosphere of exclusion and belonging, bravado and fear. And yes, the performances are razor sharp when the façade cracks, you feel the damage. What stands out most is how the movie makes you like people you shouldn’t like, and even root for them, for a moment. Then it reminds you why you shouldn’t. That tension between identification and recoil is the film’s heart. It doesn’t moralise so much as it observes the glamour and the cost, sometimes simultaneously. If there’s a caveat, it’s that the film doesn’t walk you neatly to redemption. The climax doesn’t feel like a tidy payoff but rather a slow unravelling, where the narrative tension loosens into regret and routine. Some viewers find that unsettling; you expect a grand statement, and instead get fractured silence. In closing:- this is a bold, unflinching look at power, loyalty, decay—and the seductive danger of a life built on impulse and advantage. It stands as a towering piece of filmmaking.
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