GoodFellas (1990)

For many, this is the best film ever made and it certainly ranks as one of director Martin Scorsese's finest moments. Personally, "Raging Bull" would be my favourite but there's no denying the abundant brilliance throughout this. Scorsese is on comfortable ground here and it shows. Based on the real life story of Henry Hill - low level New York mafia member turned F.B.I informant. We're shown his life from childhood, his induction to the local 'family', and his subsequent rise in status. Then it all starts to go wrong as Henry gets involved with drug dealing and loses the trust of his partners in crime. Scorsese keeps the film flowing and fascinating by using the technical possibilities of his craft. There are flash cuts, freeze frames, crash zooms and montages, all expertly executed and aided by cinematographer Michael Ballhaus. There is rarely a moment when the camera is static. It moves and weaves through the lives of the characters bringing a real sense of excitement and vibrancy - the Copacabana nightclub tracking shot is a sublime piece of camerawork alone. The actors all deliver exceptional performances; Joe Pesci is frighteningly volatile and may have been the only Oscar winner but "The Sopranos" Lorraine Bracco (Oscar nominee) and Ray Liotta are a revelation as the strung out couple who get in way over their heads; Paul Sorvino is intensely reserved and Robert DeNiro, as always, is class. However, my only criticism is his character takes a back seat to the others and is a little underused. Whenever called upon though, his subtle exchanges are very powerful. This is a film that has influenced so many since it's arrival. Quentin Tarantino (with his eclectic use of music as the soundtrack and sudden bursts of violence) and Paul Thomas Anderson (with his long tracking shots and numerous characters) are a couple of notable directors that have so obviously learned from Scorsese's expertise. Comparisons with "The Godfather" are inevitable but this has a different, more working class, feel to it. The people's lives are more accessible and less like the operatic Corleone's. The arguments and opinions will rage on between them but rest assured that this stands it own ground. A Tour de force crime film that never let's up and boasts career highs for all involved. Quite simply, it's a cinematic masterpiece.