Lockdown watch: 5 films influenced by Goodfellas that are worth your time
What comes to mind when one thinks of Goodfellas? The performances, narration (with voiceovers and fourth-wall-breaking), hyperkinetic editing, freeze frames, montages, vintage songs, and unique camera movements. Though some of the cinematic techniques employed by Martin Scorsese in the film were not exactly new -- the dolly zoom, for example, was earlier used by Alfred Hitchcock in Vertigo -- it certainly broke a lot of ground in terms of storytelling and influenced several younger filmmakers, some of whom have successfully managed to replicate a similar style in their films.
Here are 5 films -- apart from Scorsese's Casino and The Wolf of Wall Street, of course -- that are influenced by the Goodfellas template
1. A Bronx Tale (1993) - Robert De Niro's directorial debut has a lot in common with a Scorsese film, even though he didn't employ all the techniques seen in his friend's films.
Aside from being a tale about father-son bonding, A Bronx Tale remains one of the greatest gangster films ever made.
2. American Hustle (2013) - Though some have criticized dir David O Russell for aping Scorsese in this comedy-drama about conmen and undercover FBI agents, its entertainment potential is undeniable.
When you have names like Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro (in a cameo), you're bound to get at least one great scene -- and this one has several.
3. Boogie Nights (1997) - No filmmaker has been able to imitate (in a good way) Scorsese like Paul Thomas Anderson did in his second feature, Boogie Nights
The filmmaker's riveting tale set in the Golden Age of porn opens with one of the greatest single-take tracking shots of all time -- inspired no doubt, by the Copacabana sequence in Goodfellas.
4. I, Tonya (2017) - Despite being one of the best movies of 2017, it's surprising why people still don't discuss this film as often as one would like.
Its highlights include fantastic performances (especially Margot Robbie; her best, in my opinion), pitch-black humour, and an adequately fast pace.
5. Lo Spietato (The Ruthless) (2019) This Italian gangster film is a classic rise-and-fall story, starring Riccardo Scamarcio, who played the main baddie of John Wick-2.
As the charismatic and conflicted leading man, Riccardo is to this film what Ray Liotta was to Goodfellas.
