Is there a better portrayal of the American Mafia than Goodfellas?

Question

As a lifelong fan of La Cosa Nostra in America, I've searched for authentic portrayals of Yankee goombahs in film.

Goodfellas comes the closest to capturing LCN culture, in my opinion.

A Bronx Tale is also very astute, and Donnie Brasco is pretty accurate too.

Has anyone found a movie better at portraying The Mob than the above films?

(For those about to type The Godfather -- they are brilliant movies but they give the gangsters class and nobility to which they are not entitled.)

Thanks to all who answer.
V

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Not a movie, but I did like The Sopranos.

Superball Conundrum · Answer

I disagree completely with them not being entitled to the class and nobility presented in the Godfather.

Besides, the Godfather never really gave them all that much class and nobility.  Just showing the life does not mean they are glorifying the life.  And Godfather III, the culmination of Michael Corleone's life, paints the whole life in a very bad light.  It portrays it as evil; and Michael is painted as a tragic hero (similar to Greek plays) in his effort to remove that evil from his life.  Quite literally every time he thinks he's out, they pull him back in.





But that is beside the point.  You might try to find the "Last Don."  It was a made-for-TV movie miniseries based on the book by Mario Puzo.  It was not as good as Goodfellas, Casino, or a Bronx Tale; but it was a good movie nonetheless.

JackHoleJaike · Answer

The Departed ... different mob (Irish) ... best scorsese movie imo

There is like one scene with Italian mobsters, but Leo kicks their butt.

Also, Eastern Promises takes place in London with the Russian mob.  It's ok.

Edit: Have you seen Casino?  Italian mob in the early Vegas days.  Also a Scorsese movie.

westley_foster · Answer

mickey blue eyes

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Is there a better portrayal of the American Mafia than Goodfellas?

4 Answers