There are so many reasons why Goodfellas is a masterpiece, but the biggest reason is Scorsese’s genius directing ability. After making several classic films in the 70s and 80s, Scorsese rose to the ranks of masters, and for him, the ‘fun of making movies’ in the 90s was probably I assume ‘technique’. The Maestro’s skill in coordinating various cinematic techniques, including narration, still images, and the legendary 3 min long shots, presents an absolutely fantastic ensemble in directing the lives of gangsters on the run that no one can stop. The harmony and rift between beings who thrive on violence and beings who cannot fully embrace it, sometimes passes over to wit when it is too serious and maintains a knife-like coldness amidst the ridiculousness. The music selection, which can be said to be Scorsese’s trademark, is so beautiful that when we watch this film decades later, we can feel the extreme audio-visual pleasure that we can experience as a cinema.
Personally, I consider Goodfellas to be not only director Scorsese’s best work, but also an immortal masterpiece that features excellent performances from many actors. Watching the performances of the now-deceased Ray Liotta, Academy Award-winning Joe Pesci, and De Niro, Scorsese’s eternal soul partner, this is a movie that makes you realize once again how happy it is to be alive sometimes, and how much cinephiles around the world should be grateful to Scorsese.