Hey! I watched Goodfellas last night. Now I am having mixed emotions about this movie. Maybe my expectations were to high, or maybe it was because of Casino but I was quite disappointed. You might think I am getting tired of the genre... but I watched Scarface last months and I loved it. I did highly enjoy the first hour, and most of the second and third. And once again Scorsese's narration was a masterpiece. But in my opinion De Niro was wasted. Most of his scenes didn't have the same meaning as Pesci's. Pesci's scenes actually served a purpose. Anyways I wish De Niro had a greater role but otherwise he was great as always. Anyways I will watch this film once again since I feel that you must view each Scorsese picture twice in order to get a real opinion.

Question:

Was De Niro actually trying to kill Karen Hill?

To each his own, Nick V.--though I'm glad you're going to watch it again.
Good question about whether Jimmy intended to kill Karen in that scene where he invites her to take some of his swag. I'd say no--Karen's panic was probably a product of her paranoia at that point, and the scene probably was staged that way to set us up for Henry's defection. But, Jimmy also whacked Johnny Roastbeef's bride along with Johnny. Could be...

I think De Niro wasn't used as much as Liotta was obviously the main guy. And after that I'd say Pesci was the second main character; his hotheaded-ness ultimately led to his own whacking, and thus to Henry's defection.

De Niro is like that, though; he was the perfect main cast for Casino, and the perfect backdrop in Goodfellas to Liotta and Pesci.

Mick

What I don't get is that on the movie box it said Ray Liotta played a good supporting role and something about Robert Deniro being like the main guy. THE MOVIE WAS ABOUT HENRY HILL!

I read the book and I don't think they tried to imply that he was going to kill Karen. Although, I will say I believe it was left for the imagination. I don't think they really clarified that.

when Bobby is in the movie, everyone will look supporting because of his acting ability, IMO. if you see The Untouchables this is one perfect example. his ten-minute appearance ate Kevin Costner alive. . .

GoodFella

i don't remember that much about the book. my last read was last year buy anyway, i believe Henry and Karen was just too paranoid because of their drug habits. too much drug made them think and act that way . . .

GoodFella

I agree that it was paranoia on Henry and Karen's part, but the question is what were Jimmy's intentions?

I mean he stood there as he tried to encourage her to go there and he could have harmed her before they went outside if he wanted to, so what was the deal?

maybe that part was just an idea of Martin Scorsese. to keep the audience hanging if Jimmy was whacking everyone or Henry and karen was just paranoid. i've read somewhere that it was not Jimmy who ordered the hits, it was one of the member in the administration in the crew who orderd it. . .

GoodFella

Well none of that could have gone down without Paulie's approval, right?

Right, but not in Tommy's case on Batts.

GoodFella