Goodfellas (1990, Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta

A searing, contemporary crime thriller – incredibly, almost as funny as it is unpredictably violent – with Oscar-worthy performances by Robert DeNiro, Ray Iiotta and Joe Pesci as small-time New York gangsters.

Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book, Wiseguy (the title was changed to avoid confusion with the TV series), the movie follows the Iiotta character from childhood as a runner for a local hoodlum (Paul Sorvino) to young adulthood in the early 70’s, to his downfall in the 80’s, as his cronies begin to drop like flies in a mob war.

DeNiro is superb as always, and Pesci – who made his first screen impact as Jake LaMotta’s brother in Scorsese’s Raging Bull – contributes a powerhouse performance as an out-of-control, over-age punk with a terrifying violent streak.

Another directorial tour deforce from Martin Scorsese, the distinctive talent behind Mean Streets, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver.

production details
USA | 145 minutes | 1990

Director: Martin Scorsese
Script: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese,

cast
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill
Robert De Niro as James Conway
Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill
Paul Sorvino as Paul Cicero
Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone
Tony Darrow as Sonny Bunz
Mike Starr as Frenchy
Frank Vincent as Billy Batts
Chuck Low as Morris Kessler
Frank DiLeo as Tuddy Cicero
Henny Youngman as Himself
Gina Mastrogiacomo as Janice Rossi
Catherine Scorsese as Tommy’s Mother
Charles Scorsese as Vinnie
Suzanne Shepherd as Karen’s Mother
Debi Mazar as Sandy
Margo Winkler as Belle Kessler
Welker White as Lois Byrd
Jerry Vale as Himself
Julie Garfield as Mickey Conway
Christopher Serrone as Young Henry
Elaine Kagan as Henry’s Mother
Beau Starr as Henry’s Father
Kevin Corrigan as Michael Hill
Michael Imperioli as Spider
Robbie Vinton as Bobby Vinton
Johnny Williams as Johnny Roastbeef
Daniel P. Conte as Dr. Dan
Tony Conforti as Tony
Frank Pellegrino as Johnny Dio
Ronald Maccone as Ronnie
Tony Sirico as Tony Stacks
Joseph D’Onofrio as Young Tommy
Steve Forleo as City Detective #1
Richard Dioguardi as City Detective #2
Frank Adonis as Anthony Stabile
John Manca as Nickey Eyes
Joseph Bono as Mikey Franzese
Katherine Wallach as Diane
Mark Evan Jacobs as Bruce
Angela Pietropinto as Cicero’s Wife
Marianne Leone Cooper as Tuddy’s Wife
Marie Michaels as Mrs. Carbone
LoNardo as Frenchy’s Wife
Melissa Prophet as Angie
Illeana Douglas as Rosie
Susan Varon as Susan
Elizabeth Whitcraft as Tommy’s Girlfriend
Clem Caserta as Joe Buddha
Samuel L. Jackson as Stacks Edwards
Fran McGee as Johnny Roastbeef’s Wife
Paul Herman as Dealer
Edward McDonald as Edward McDonald
Edward Hayes as Defense Attorney
Daniela Barbosa as Young Henry’s Sister #1
Gina Mattia as Young Henry’s Sister #2
Joel Calendrillo as Young Henry’s Older Brother
Anthony Valentin as Young Michael
Edward D. Murphy as Liquor Cop #1
Michael Citriniti as Liquor Cop #2
Peter Hock as Mailman
Erasmus C. Alfano as Barbeque Wiseguy
John Di Benedetto as Bleeding Man
Manny Alfaro as Gambling Doorman
Thomas Lowry as Hijacked Driver
Margaret Smith as School Guard
Richard Mullally as Cop #1
Frank Albanese as Mob Lawyer
Paul McIsaac as Judge – 1956
Bob Golub as Truck Driver at Diner
Louis Eppolito as Fat Andy
Tony Lip as Frankie The Wop
Mikey Black as Freddy No Nose
Peter Cicale as Pete The Killer
Anthony Powers as Jimmy Two Times
Vincent Pastore as Man with Coatrack
Anthony Alessandro as Henry’s 60’s crew
Mike Contessa as Cicero 60’s Crew
Philip Suriano as Cicero’s 60’s crew
Paul Mougey as Terrorized Waiter
Norman Barbera as Bouncer
Anthony Polemeni as Copa Captain
James Quattrochi as Henry Greeter #1
Lawrence Sacco as Henry Greeter #2
Dino Laudicina as Henry Greeter #3
Thomas E. Camuti as Mr. Tony Hood #1
Andrew Scudiero as Mr. Tony Hood #2
Irving Welzer as Copa Announcer
Jesse Kirtzman as Beach Club Waiter
Russell Halley as Bruce’s Brother #1
Spencer Bradley as Bruce’s Brother #2
Bob Altman as Karen’s Dad
Joanna Bennett as Marie #1
Gayle Lewis as Marie #2
Gaetano Lisi as Paul #3
Luke Walter as Truck Driver
Ed Deacy as Detective Deacy
Larry Silvestri as Detective Silvestri
John ‘Cha Cha’ Ciarcia as Batts’ Crew #1
Vito Picone as Vito
Janis Corsair as Vito’s Girlfriend
Lisa Dapolito as Lisa
Frank Aquilino as Batt’s Crew #2
Michael Calandrino as Godfather at Table
Vito Antuofermo as Prizefighter
Vincent Gallo as Henry’s 70’s Crew
Gaetano LoGiudice as Henry’s 70’s Crew
Garry Pastore as Henry’s 70’s Crew
Nicole Burdette as Carbone’s Girlfriend
Stella Keitel as Henry’s Older Child – Judy
Dominique DeVito as Henry’s Baby – Ruth
Michaelangelo Graziano as Bar Patron
Paula Kcira as Janice’s Girlfriend #1
Nadine Kay as Janoce’s Girlfriend #2
Tony Ellis as Bridal Shop Owner
Peter Onorati as Florida Bookie
Jamie De Roy as Bookie’s Sister
Joel Blake as Judge – 1971
H. Clay Dear as Security Guard with Lobsters
Thomas Hewson as Drug Buyer
Gene Canfield as Prison Guard in Booth
Margaux Guerard as Judy Hill at 10 Years
Violet Gaynor as Ruth Hill at 8 Years
Tobin Bell as Parole Officer
Berlinda Tolbert as Stacks’ Girlfriend
Nancy Cassaro as Joe Buddha’s Wife
Adam Wandt as Kid
Joe Gioco as Garbage Man
Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Doctor
Alyson Jones as Judy Hill at 13 Years
Ruby Gaynor as Ruth Hill at 11 Years
Bo Dietl as Arresting Narc
Frank Cassini as 50’s Wiseguy (uncredited)
Anthony Caso as Truck Hijacker (uncredited)
Lisa Bostnar as Nickey Eyes’ Girlfriend (uncredited)