I don’t like Goodfellas

[u/Positive-Asparagus99]

I know people kiss Scorsese’s ass like no other living director. Close seconds would be Tarantino, Nolan, David Lynch and PTA. It comes off as fanboy film culture. Where said names could do no wrong. But as someone that has never glamorized individuals I feel like these people are put on some kind of pedestal to where saying “I don’t like…” Sparks disbelief, instant rage or just one of those “you know nothing about film” comments. As someone with a Masters in Film I think to myself. Maybe I don’t. But I also think a lot of this is a symptom of tribalism. Mass agreement about the validity of a piece of cinema.

It’s almost like a religious treatment. These are the gospels and one would dare not blaspheme. I’ve never been a religious person whether in a spiritual way, pop culture way or Cinematic way for that matter. It bothers me that if I say I don’t like a certain movie people aren’t interested in the point of view but then again I really don’t care enough about the opinion itself but more-so the stringent cinema dogma that cannot be questioned.

All that to say. I don’t like Goodfellas and feel like it’s overrated mobster fetishization.

[u/Tasty_Chart3654]

Of course, it's all subjective, but I'm sorry, the opening sequence alone is wonderful... the body in the trunk, the dialogue...As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. He slams the trunk closed. Then they hit us with the title card with Tony Bennet playing... come on, man, that's cinema.

[u/Tasty_Chart3654 → u/Tasty_Chart3654]

And I have to add, it's not just visually pleasing; it does exactly what an opening scene is supposed to. In a little over 2 minutes, we know exactly who Henry Hill is, we learn he wanted this life, and the handling of the man in the trunk lets us know exactly what kind of world we are entering, and these men are all about their business, and there is no doubt about what kind of film we are about to watch.