Can Venice praise a gangster film? Goodfellas at the Film Festival

The gangster film as a commentary on American values

Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film based on the 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi.

The film tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a half-Irish, half-Italian American gangster who rises through the ranks of the Lucchese crime family in New York City.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $46 million worldwide against a production budget of $25 million.

The critical reception of Goodfellas

Goodfellas received critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics considering it to be one of the greatest films ever made.

The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and won one for Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci).

Goodfellas has been ranked as the No. 1 gangster film by the American Film Institute, and it is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time.

The controversy surrounding Goodfellas

Goodfellas has been praised for its realism, its complex characters, and its stylish direction.

However, the film has also been criticized for its violence and its glorification of the gangster lifestyle.

Some critics have argued that the film's sympathetic portrayal of Henry Hill makes it difficult for viewers to condemn his criminal behavior.

The legacy of Goodfellas

Goodfellas has had a significant influence on popular culture.

The film's famous opening sequence, which features Ray Liotta narrating over a montage of scenes from the film, has been parodied in numerous other films and television shows.

Goodfellas has also been credited with popularizing the use of profanity in mainstream films.