Crime Cinema
By Yuri Rutman, Writer/Director & Producer, The Violinist (Filmdemand). Educational content only — not investment advice.
When people argue about the best mafia movie, two titles dominate: The Godfather and Goodfellas — with The Departed often entering the conversation as the best modern crime film. Here is the case for Martin Scorsese's 1990 classic, how it changed the genre, and how it stacks up against both rivals.
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How Goodfellas changed the gangster movie
Before 1990, gangster movies were largely structured like classical tragedies or operas. Goodfellas broke that mold with four innovations:
Voice-over as rhythm. Henry and Karen Hill don't just narrate — their casual voices often contrast ironically with the violence on screen.
Pop music as score. Instead of a traditional orchestral score, Scorsese used contemporary pop, rock and blues tracks to mirror the characters' highs.
De-romanticized mob life. Petty squabbles, home cooking and friends killed over trivial insults replace the grandeur of the Corleones.
Speed and fragmentation. The famous single-take Copacabana sequence and the paranoid "May 11, 1980" finale are masterclasses in direction and editing.
The case for Goodfellas
It shows the appeal and the cost. The film makes the lifestyle enticing, then shows it collapsing into paranoia and betrayal.
The performances. Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Lorraine Bracco are superb, and Joe Pesci won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Tommy DeVito.
Its influence. Crime film and television, including The Sopranos, owe a major debt to its style and tone.
The case for The Godfather
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The Godfather is more ambitious in scope, wins on mythmaking and had greater influence on cinema as a whole, with Best Picture wins for both it and Part II. Goodfellas was nominated for six Oscars but did not win Best Picture.
Goodfellas vs. The Departed
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| | Goodfellas (1990) | The Departed (2006) |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Rise and fall of a mob associate | A cop and a mole infiltrate each other's organizations |
| Source | Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy | Remake of Infernal Affairs (2002) |
| Tone | Energetic, darkly funny | Tense, paranoid, bleak |
| Awards | Joe Pesci, Best Supporting Actor | Four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director |
| Cast | Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci | Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson |
Story. Goodfellas is a character study; The Departed is a plot-driven thriller. Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon) are reverse mirrors — a real cop posing as a criminal and a real criminal posing as a decorated detective — while Jack Nicholson's Frank Costello is a boss who cares more about control than money.
Style. Goodfellas is known for tracking shots, freeze frames and narration. The Departed, cut by longtime Scorsese editor Thelma Schoonmaker, uses tighter, more aggressive editing to sustain its tension.
Legacy. The Departed won Scorsese his only competitive Best Director Oscar; Goodfellas is usually considered the more influential film.
Verdict
The Godfather may be the greater epic, but Goodfellas is arguably the most rewatchable — and many viewers rank it first. The Departed is the better pure thriller. Choose The Godfather for grandeur, Goodfellas for energy, The Departed for suspense.
If you loved it, see movies like Goodfellas and Scorsese's best films, ranked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Goodfellas better than The Godfather?
It's subjective. Critics usually rank The Godfather first and Goodfellas second.
Is Goodfellas a true story?
It is based on Nicholas Pileggi's book *Wiseguy*, which draws on the real Henry Hill.
Is The Departed a remake?
Yes, of the Hong Kong film *Infernal Affairs*, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak.
Which won more Oscars, Goodfellas or The Departed?
The Departed, which won four, including Best Picture and Best Director.
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Educational information only. Not investment, legal, or tax advice, and not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. Any offering is made only to verified accredited investors through definitive offering documents. Film investing involves substantial risk, including total loss of capital. Statements about Section 168(k) reflect current law; statements about a federal 20% production credit refer to pending legislation that has not been enacted. Consult your own advisors.