R-Rated Gangster True Story Everyone Must See Heads To Paramount+

By Britta DeVore | Published

If you’re a fan of mob-centered entertainment, there’s a list of movies and TV shows that are absolute must-watches. You, of course, have The Sopranos and The Godfather trilogy but any genre fan worth their salt knows that one of the most iconic mafioso movies came from Martin Scorsese with the legendary director’s 1990 feature, Goodfellas. Next month, Paramount+ subscribers are in for a real treat when the star-studded film arrives on the streaming platform on November 1. 

Goodfellas Is A Classic Mobster Film

Goodfellas

There are a lot of things that make Goodfellas a standout classic but at the top of the list is the fact that it’s based on a true story. The script for the gangster flick was penned by Nicholas Pileggi, who is also the author of its source material, Wiseguy. Blending the factual story with a flare of drama made the movie an entertaining joyride through the underground world of Cosa Nostra. 

The true story aspect of Goodfellas centers on the real life of Henry Hill, who, in the movie, is portrayed by Ray Liotta. Audiences tag along with Henry from boyhood when the Brooklyn native first sets eyes on the lavish lifestyle led by the made men in his neighborhood, through his rise through the ranks of the organized crime syndicate. Over 25 years, the ins and outs of Henry’s experience take center stage, as he does whatever it takes to make mad money, stay loyal to his friends and family, and – most importantly – stay alive. 

A Star-Studded Cast

martin scorsese
Goodfellas

As we mentioned, the true story aspect of Goodfellas is a major selling point as it gives a real inside look into what being a member of the mob was like back in those days. But the other huge puzzle piece that made Martin Scorsese’s film such a hit was its absolutely stacked call sheet. Along with Ray Liotta, the movie also features a top-tier cast that includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Paul Sorvino. 

Another fun piece of Goodfellas trivia, as far as casting is concerned, is the before-their-time cameos of numerous members of The Sopranos family. While the James Gandolfini-led HBO series wouldn’t arrive for nine more years, there are plenty of crossover castings between the two projects with Lorraine Bracco, Frank Vincent, Tony Sirico, Vincent Pastore, and Michael Imperioli holding down roles in Goodfellas. Unrelated to The Sopranos, but still a fun spotting, Samuel L. Jackson also dips in for a brief appearance in Scorsese’s epic gangster feature.

Plenty Of Ad-Libbing 

There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes magic in Goodfellas that could take up its own article but it’s certainly worth noting that Scorsese tied plenty of ad-libbed moments into the final cut. The filmmaker allowed the impressive cast to go off script multiple times, making for some of the most memorable moments of the movie. 

With a Certified Fresh stamp of approval from Rotten Tomatoes, Goodfellas sits on the review site with a 95 percent critics’ approval rating. Landing six Academy Award nominations – including Best Picture – the film would take home one via Joe Pesci who won the trophy for Best Supporting Actor, with the movie going on to become one of the most legendary of Martin Scorsese’s long-running career.Interested parties can head over to Paramount+ on November 1 to check out Goodfellas to see what all the hype is about.


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