GOODFELLAS (1990, Warner Bros., 140
min.), directed by Martin Scorsese;
screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese from the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi;
produced by Irwin Winkler; cinematography by Michael Ballhaus; with Ray Liotta
(Henry Hill), Robert DeNiro (Jimmy Conway), Joe Pesci (Tommy DeVito), Lorraine
Bracco (Karen Hill), Paul Sorvino (Paulie Cicero), Frank Sivero (Frankie
Carbone), Tony Darrow (Sonny Bunz), Mike Starr (Frenchy), Frank Vincent (Billy
Batts), Chuck Low (Morris Kessler), Frank Dileo (Tuddy Cicero).
Please jot down answers to
all of the following, with long answers to three on separate
paper.
1. The film is based on
a book titled Wiseguy, which
chronicles the real-life adventures of Henry Hill and his associates. The filmmakers had to change the title of the
book, however, because the title Wiseguys
had already been used in another film.
What do you think of the title Goodfellas? Does it work?
Is it used ironically or are we meant to take it straight?
2. Although the film's
story (as opposed to its plot) begins in 1955, when Henry first goes to work
for Paulie, the film actually opens in 1970, with the disposal of Billy
Batts. It then flashes back to 1955. Why is the film structured this way? Why not begin at the beginning?
3. Think of the typical
aspects of the gangster film--characters, plot devices, conventions, etc. In what ways does Goodfellas adhere to the gangster formula, and in what ways does it
differ?
4. Discuss the setting
of the film. How does the setting change
over the course of the film--from Henry as a boy to Henry as a young man to
Henry as an adult?
5. Discuss Henry's
voice-over narration. What kind of voice
does Henry have (I mean this literally), and what sort of information do we
get--about him and about his world--from the narration? Now do the same thing with Karen's narration.
6. Trace Henry's
development as a character. How would
you characterize him? Does he change
significantly? What does he really want
from life?
7. It could be argued
that Henry's character is defined in contrast to the characters of those around
him. Contrast Henry with the other major
male characters: Jimmy, Tommy, and Paulie.
8. How does Scorsese
brings us into Henry's state of mind on the day he is busted for cocaine? Discuss this in terms of the visuals, the
sound track, and editing.
9. How about
Karen? Is she a typical gangster's wife?
gangster's moll? combination? Does she
develop?
10. Discuss the theme of the family in the film.
11. Like all gangster
films, this one gets pretty violent in parts--violence that is sudden,
frequently irrational, and frequently grotesque. Do you find that the depiction of violence in
this film is excessive or justified? (or both?)
12. The songs that we
hear on the soundtrack certainly help to set the mood, the atmosphere of the
film, right? How do they do this? Would you say that they also provide
editorial comment (ironic or otherwise) on the action? Give some examples.
13. What do you think of
the use of the punk version of "I Did It My Way" as the musical
accompaniment to the end credits?
14. So how do you feel
about Henry in particular and gangsters in general by the end of the film?
15. Discuss
Goodfellas as a Scorsese film.