Everyone loves Goodfellas, proper? In truth, after we ranked Martin Scorsese’s greatest films, we put it at primary. I imply, how may we not? It is nearly universally accepted as Scorsese’s greatest movie. Both that, or Raging Bull, or Taxi Driver. Actually, it’s a three-way tie amongst these aforementioned films.
And, I really like Goodfellas! It’s a terrific film. Nonetheless…what if I had been to let you know that I choose On line casino? Loopy, proper? Positive. And in the event you suppose I’ve dangerous style in films, you wouldn’t be the primary.
That mentioned, On line casino isn’t a nasty film in any respect! In truth, most would agree that it’s actually good. It’s simply not as good as Goodfellas. I’ve 5 explanation why I choose it to one in every of Scorsese’s hottest movies. Right here’s why.
It is Uncommon That We Truly Get To See A Robert De Niro Character Sweat
Based mostly on the nonfiction ebook, On line casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, On line casino follows Robert De Niro as playing skilled Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a personality loosely primarily based on the real-life gangster Frank Rosenthal. He’s employed by the Chicago mob to supervise their casinos and make more cash for them.
To guard their pursuits, the mob sends Sam’s longtime pal, Nicky (Performed by Joe Pesci), to “defend” him. Sam is nice at his job. In truth, one in every of my favourite moments within the film is the grotesque “cheater’s justice” scene with the hammer.
Nonetheless, Nicky’s a wildcard, and Sam doesn’t fairly know how you can deal with him, particularly when it seems that Nicky is having an affair along with his spouse (Which I’ll get into later). Now, what I really like about all of that is that De Niro is admittedly taking part in in opposition to sort. As a Jewish-American playing handicapper within the movie, he’s a little bit of an outsider from the primarily Italian Mafia.
He’s powerful, as he needs to be for his job, however he’s additionally not Mafia powerful. In truth, loads of occasions, we get to see De Niro’s character sweat. It’s a giant purpose why I believe that is one in every of Robert De Niro’s greatest films, since I really like seeing this actor, who is often seen as unflappable, really afraid for his life.
It’s a rarity we don’t get typically, and I really like seeing it in On line casino. A terrifying Robert De Niro? I’ve seen that loads of occasions. Simply rewatch Cape Concern or many of the films that he’s been in. However a scared Robert De Niro? Now that’s one thing we don’t get to see daily.
I Additionally Choose Joe Pesci’s Efficiency In On line casino Over Goodfellas
One may argue that Joe Pesci is taking part in the very same function in On line casino that he performed in Goodfellas (however lesser), and yeah, I can see that argument. In each performances, Pesci’s character is within the Mafia, and in each films, his character is reckless.
Nonetheless, what makes me choose Pesci’s character as Nicky in On line casino is his relationship to the protagonist, as Nicky and Sam have a historical past collectively.
One may say that they are pals, as they’re in Goodfellas, however they’re additionally at odds with each other in terms of enterprise, not like Goodfellas. In each movies, Pesci’s character is a legal responsibility, however in On line casino, that creates many of the pressure.
This makes all of the distinction. And, I particularly like how Pesci is at odds with De Niro, and actually, has a form of energy over him for many of the movie, which is totally different from Goodfellas. In that manner, I take into account this to be the superior Pesci efficiency, and meaning rather a lot since he is probably the greatest components of Goodfellas.
Sharon Stone’s Efficiency Is So Potent In This movie, And We Do not Have One thing Like It In Goodfellas
Okay, now I do know what you are going to say. What about The Sopranos’ star, Lorraine Bracco? She was glorious in Goodfellas as Henry’s scorned spouse. And, you realize what? You are proper! She is great within the film (who can overlook Henry waking up with a gun in his face?).
Nonetheless, I believe Sharon Stone’s character in On line casino as Sam’s spouse (and former prostitute and con artist), Ginger, is much more potent and impactful, and largely since she’s not the form of girl who would level a gun in her husband’s face and never use it. No, no. She’s the form of girl who would sleep together with her husband’s childhood pal after which ask him to kill her husband.
And but, it is arduous to hate her for it. Going into the wedding, she tells Sam straight out, “You don’t even know me,” and he or she even tries to speak him out of the proposal, even going as far as to inform him that she’s not in love with him. However, good outdated Sam pushes it, and for his hassle, he will get a spouse who needs him useless.
In loads of methods, Ginger is simply as concerned in Sam’s downfall as Pesci’s character (If no more so), and I actually like that about her efficiency. She’s detestable, certain, however all the characters in On line casino are detestable, so she matches proper in.
So, as a lot as I like Lorraine Bracco’s character in Goodfellas, I all the time view her as extra of a sufferer; a prepared sufferer, certain, however a sufferer, nonetheless. However Ginger is not any sufferer. If something, she’s an agent of chaos, and I really like that about her.
I Like On line casino’s Setting Higher Than Goodfellas
I like interval items, particularly ones set within the Nineteen Sixties (Which is likely one of the explanation why I’m so trying ahead to this upcoming Implausible 4 film), and Goodfellas spans a number of a long time, from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. I additionally just like the New York and New Jersey setting. Being from Jersey myself, it’s good seeing a few of that native taste, as I do know all about locations like JFK airport, and Upstate New York.
That mentioned, since I’m from this space, films set on this location, whilst interval items, simply don’t do it for me. Like, I don’t discover something unique or distinctive about Brooklyn, New York. That’s simply the place I get my annual steak at Peter Luger.
Nonetheless, although I’ve been to Vegas, it’s nonetheless a novel setting for me, as I solely stayed on the strip and didn’t exit into the desert, which appears terrifying. In truth, the setting itself actually appears like its personal character in On line casino, what with the darkness of the movie and all the brilliant lights. I actually love that juxtaposition, and I believe it really works in making this film really feel much more attention-grabbing than Goodfellas.
AS for the setting, and the deaths that happen, Pesci’s dying in On line casino is scarier. His characters die in each films, however which film has the extra terrifying dying scene? Pesci getting whacked in some random room with a fish on the wall, or Pesci being delivered to an Illinois cornfield, and being crushed by baseball bats, after which buried alive?
You may say, nicely, it’s the dying itself that’s extra impactful, however don’t disregard that cornfield. It actually leaves an impression on you, as do all the settings in On line casino, which I believe are superior to Goodfellas. However–and that is the purpose which may get me in probably the most hassle–I’ve one different purpose why I choose On line casino to Goodfellas.
Actually, As A lot As I Love Goodfellas, I Suppose It is A Tad Bit Overrated
I do know everyone’s favourite gangster film is both The Godfather or Goodfellas, however do you wish to know my favourite gangster film? It’s Scarface.
I solely deliver that up as a result of I don’t have any allegiance to Goodfellas. In different phrases, I don’t have any pores and skin within the recreation. Yeah, I find it irresistible, but it surely’s not my favourite gangster film. In truth, I really suppose it’s a tad bit overrated.
I say this as a result of I typically see it on loads of “Finest films of all time” lists (For instance, IMDb customers have positioned it at quantity 17 on their record of the High 250 films). And, whereas I really like Goodfellas, I wouldn’t put it in my High 20. Hell, I would not even put it in my High 50.
So, although I believe Goodfellas is one in every of Scorsese’s greatest films, I wouldn’t put it above movies like Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, or particularly On line casino. In truth, I wouldn’t even put it above Scorsese’s hidden gem, After Hours. As a result of whereas I really like Goodfellas, I don’t love find it irresistible.
I do love love On line casino.
What do you suppose? I’d love to listen to your ideas.