Released on 19 September 1990, Goodfellas was a project that Scorcese had on the table for some time. He had intended to direct it before The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). It was a long term project for Scorcese, he was not keen on directing more stuff on the mob, though he admitted a fascination about the life. When he read Pilleggi's book, it was "source material" that he claimed he'd been waiting for all his life. Of course, that material was based on a (sort of) biography of Henry Hill by crime writer Nicholas Pileggi entitled Wiseguy (published in 1986) and the working title of the film was "Wise Guys". Due to funds suddenly showing up for the filming of Christ, the project was put on hold--which allowed time for it to evolve a bit. Work started back on the project immediately following the release of Christ. Wise Guys the name had to go, as Brian de Palma had already used the book for, of all things, a comedy television series, so with Pileggi's blessing, the title was changed and Goodfellas was born.
It is considered at least one of Scorcese's all time best films. Some consider it one of the best films of all times, or at least, one of the all time best crime films. It is even considered historically significant from a social point of view. Not sure if I would go that far, there are a lot of films about organized crime that could be called "socially revelent" by one history professor or another when it comes to the shaping of the US in the 19th and 20th century. What I personally love about this film is it's crazy pace. Scorcese manages to fit a lot of very important personal information about Hill and his life with his gangster friends and associates, and his troubled family life with wife Karen, in a time line that would not work in the hands of another director. Practically Hill's whole life (with some changes, and age fudging) from adolescent to protected witness is presented, along with some other larger than life characters--but, the whole thing doesn't really feel forced. There is also narration, what director could pull off narration in 1990 in a major motion picture?? One thing that does help is Scorcese's impeccable talent with needle drops. He knows his music and is able to covey what the time period is with, let's say a well placed Donovan song.
It was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, but only won for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Joe Pesci). Many thought this was a serious slight (myself amongst them), I mean this was the year of Dances With Wolves! (I am a Native American, part native, I HATE that film--really! It's not nearly as politically correct as people think it is! It's also just bad.) The idea that a Kevin Costner film, that really has not aged well, beat this out for best picture is one of those "give me a break" moments with the Oscars. Dances was considered politically correct by Academy members, Goodfellas was about mixed blooded (mostly Irish and Italian) gangsters who were really bad guys who could never get "made", and based on real people to boot--what's politically correct here?? Nothing. Keep in mind, also, that another mob movie was up for best picture The Godfather Part III, I don't think that most fans of the genre would regard that as anywhere on par with the first two Godfather movies. Oh and Ghost was nominated too! Ironically it was nominated for 7 BAFTAS (Britain's Oscar), and actually won 5 of them.
Trivia: Scorcese cold called Pileggi and stated "I've been waiting for this book all my life." Pileggi replied "I've been waiting for this phone call all my life."
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