I think that’s what makes it so effective and impactful. For some reason this movie left me with a feeling that no other films have, and I’ve seen plenty far more violent films. Something about the way Scorsese builds and develops his characters makes you feel invested in them, which is the hallmark of effective screenwriting, and so when you witness their tragic undoing it hits you harder.
shareNo, I think their fates were well deserved
I do love the movie, it's certainly in my top 10
Henry Hill's sister claimed he was a sneaky little jerk even as a kid
My buddies dad arrested James 'Jimmy The Gent' Burke for something during the 70s and said he was the ultimate gangster...fearless, cold blooded and intimidating even in cuffs
I don't generally say this but we're better off all those guys are dead
Is a movie about violent mobsters dark and disturbing? Yes. It's kind of a given.
Did I feel bad for any of them? No. They were complete and total scumbags, particularly Tommy and Jimmy. Henry is the only "likeable" one and that's just because he didn't kill anyone. They other two are pieces of shit.
I was referring more to the emotional impact it had if you read the rest of my OP. And it wasn’t one of sympathy, but of tragedy and despair.
In the court of law Henry Hill would’ve been guilty of first degree murder for his complicity in the brutal killing and disposal of Billy Batts. He also beat his wife’s neighbor half to death, stole millions of dollars and sold cocaine on a large scale. I don’t think he was innocent at all. He was just the lead character and most likeable.
I don't really consider the outcome tragic. Well deserved? Perhaps. It actually has always irritated me that Hill was hardly punished.
That's not to say that I don't really love the movie. I think it's fantastic, but that doesn't mean that there isn't some schadenfreude at their downfall.
" It actually has always irritated me that Hill was hardly punished."
Hill was the "least worst" of the bunch. If him ratting on the rest of them puts awful people behind bars, I'm all for it.
I see what you are saying, and somewhat agree in the whole scheme of "bringing down the mob", but over all with the justice system, people have been locked away for life for much lesser crimes.
shareI like that movie but the people in the film are not supposed to be relatable. They are all bad.
shareYeah but we follow Henry from a young age and see his struggle and are in a way rooting for him.
shareI saw a documentary about this film. Yes, Henry had struggles from his childhood. But not every dyslexic kid who had trouble in school turns to crime. I mean, "Gee I couldn't read in school. It was hard. So I turned to theft and murder to make a living."
A great film with characters who are in no way sympathetic. They got what they deserved.
Joe Pesci's brilliant portrayal of Tommy is amazing. But the real real Tommy who his character is based on was far worse. He was a stone cold killer, evil to the core. Couldn't feel any sympathy for him.
Yup
The guy's been missing for 40+ years and I doubt anyone's ever looked for him
Great Pesci performance, one for the ages but the real guy was a maniac
Good riddance
Yeah Tommy Disimmone was a psychopath. I thought Gotti had him whacked? They never found him?
shareThey never found him...'presumed dead'
shareDid they ever pin down who actually shot him?
shareI have read that Gotti's Gambino clan and the Luchesse bunch agreed he had to go because he was a loose cannon
Some claim the deed was done in a car and those guys had auto wrecking yards that could demolish a vehicle in minutes
No shooter was ever given up, I guess they were all glad to see him go
The scenes where the bartender gets shot, then shot again are disturbing. The mob guys signed up for their world of violence, murder, backstabbing but this guy was just serving drinks to them.
shareNope. I saw them all as people who wanted to advance their own positions at any cost. The main character always knew better too but just didn't care.
shareyes.
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