The story ends with Henry's (and Paulie's and Jimmy's) arrest on drug charges, and Henry's recognition of the fact that he must turn on his mob, or die. But it's not because he realizes it's the right thing to do, only the necessary thing, as it always has been.

Why is Tommy shooting at the end of Goodfellas?

Tommy DeVito's Whacking in 'Goodfellas' Is Retribution for Killing a "Made Man" Source: Warner Bros. The Gist: Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas remains an enduring classic, and Tommy DeVito's death is one of its most important moments.

What is the message behind Goodfellas?

Honour, masculinity, and the importance of family are all themes integral to Goodfellas.

What happened to Jimmy at the end of Goodfellas?

The movie ends with title cards explaining that Paulie died in the late 1980s in Forth Worth Federal Prison and that Jimmy was serving a 20-years-to-life sentence in New York and would be paroled in 2004.

Why does Henry Hill break the fourth wall?

Henry breaking the fourth wall during his speech at the end of Goodfellas is interpreted as the breaking of the illusion that was his life in the mob, as he was now entering the “real” world.

The Ending of Goodfellas Finally Explained

Does Goodfellas have a bad ending?

Henry Hill's story doesn't wind to an end. It crash lands in suburban hell. As we spot Henry in an ugly blue bathrobe, picking up the morning paper and smirking at the camera, he tells us firsthand that he's super bummed about his decadent mobster lifestyle going kaput.

Did Henry rat at the end of Goodfellas?

The author of the theory bases their idea on Henry becoming an FBI informant at the end of Goodfellas, as he ended up ratting on Paulie's crew (and Paul himself), which led to them spending the rest of their lives in jail, so he could have turned against Tommy first.

Why did Jimmy want to whack Henry?

Jimmy was also likely afraid that Henry, who'd gone to jail for his ongoing drug operation, would sell him out as being a part of the operation. Murdering Karen and Henry would ensure the Feds would never find out about his part in the whole affair.

Why did Jimmy confess at the end?

At first, he tries to play the system to get a lighter punishment, but deep down, he knows he needs to come clean. This shows he's really looking for forgiveness and to close that chapter of his life. Another big reason for Jimmy's confession is his relationship with Kim Wexler, his ex-girlfriend and partner in crime.

What do real gangsters think of Goodfellas?

Although the response from the mob was mostly good, there were many others who weren't on board with the themes addressed in Goodfellas and its portrayal of Italian-Americans.

What is the most important scene in Goodfellas?

The Copacabana tracking shot

There's no question that the most iconic moment in Goodfellas is the long tracking shot that follows Henry as he takes Karen to the Copacabana nightclub. They arrive at the club and there's a long line of customers coming out of the door.

What is a famous line from Goodfellas?

I mean, funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?” - Tommy DeVito. Arguably, the most famous quote from Goodfellas comes from Tommy DeVito and his volatile personality. At the Bamboo Lounge, Tommy was telling stories to Henry and other associates, with Henry telling him that he was funny.

Did Tommy know he was getting whacked?

Goodfellas: How Tommy Knew He Was Being Whacked - IMDb. Tommy DeVito's death in Goodfellas is a trap, as he quickly realizes his fate upon entering an empty room. The real-life Tommy DeSimone's death is mysterious, as his body was never found, unlike in the film.

How did Tommy know he was going to get whacked in Goodfellas?

Tommy DeVito Knew He Was About To Get Whacked

The induction ceremony is typically well-attended, and that's exactly why the Tommy DeVito Goodfellas character played by Joe Pesci knew he was going to be killed, even though he was shot in the back of the head.

Did Paulie have Tommy killed in Goodfellas?

Henry explains Tommy's murder was in retribution for the murder of Billy Batts, but there's one important detail in Tommy's execution: the man who pulled the trigger was Tuddy Cicero, Paulie's brother.

Why didn't Paulie want Henry selling drugs?

Although not explained in Goodfellas, Paulie's reasons for not wanting to get involved in drug trafficking were all about the privacy and safety of his crew, and Henry's actions at the end of the film showed exactly why Paul didn't want him to continue with his drug business.

Who is the villain in Goodfellas?

Type of Villain

Thomas "Tommy" DeVito is the secondary antagonist of the 1990 crime drama film Goodfellas. He is a cruel associate of the Lucchese crime family and arguably the most feared member of the crew led by Jimmy Conway.

Why does Jimmy keep tormenting Howard?

Howard's friendship with Chuck and privileged background prove to be a constant source of frustration for both Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler, his former employees at the firm.

Why did Paulie give Henry money?

Paulie angrily berates Henry for going against his back with drugs, but relents in giving him $3,200 for his family's sake. Paulie then disowns Henry by telling him "Now I gotta turn my back on you", to which Henry shamefully accepts.

Who snitched on Tommy in Goodfellas?

He was probably betrayed by Henry. Not shown in the movie, but when Henry was in jail, Paul, played by Paul Sorvino, had an affair with Henry's wife, Karen, played by Lorraine Bracco. Karen told Paul that Tommy came on to her and tried to rape her when Henry was in jail.

Why did Henry Hill leave witness protection?

To clear things up, Hill was arrested in Seattle in 1987 for cocaine trafficking. While the movie states that he was still protected under federal law until 1980 or so, the fact is that Hill and his family were kicked out of the Witness Protection Program in 1987 for his drug arrest in Seattle (via NBC News).

What's it called when an actor looks at the camera?

Now it's the turn of a similar device, sometimes called “breaking the fourth wall” or talking “to-camera”, where one or more character turns to look down the lens of the camera to address the audience directly.

Why can't you break the 4th wall?

The most common warning against breaking the fourth wall relates to directors who want their actors to remain professional as long as they are on stage and avoid blunders that make the production come across as amateurish.

Is it OK to break the 4th wall?

The experience of the fourth wall being broken allows the audience to become something beyond just a mere observer. The story and characters become more personal to the audience because of the direct interaction through the imaginary fourth wall. And the technique can work in any genre and on any platform.