I think this is where the comparisons set in, but they’re still unfair.īoth are masterpieces, and you could easily make an argument for either one as the better work of art. Yet there’s a certain camaraderie and flow that Goodfellas has that Casino either lacks or repeats. Casino may even be better filmmaking- it’s got more meat, the narration is some of the best I’ve seen, it’s dazzling, and it birthed Scorsese’s best female character. I watched it again for the first time since I was a kid and there isn’t a false note. That being said I still prefer Goodfellas. It’s a different era, different mob, different setting, and different characters with more nuanced performances from all 3: De Niro, Pesci, and Sharon Stone.
The two films are actually quite different, and while I can understand why some say “he’s not covering any new ground”, I personally couldn’t disagree more. I think enough time has passed, and Casino has finally become appreciated as one of Scorsese’s finest works.
