Made Men

The Story of Goodfellas

By: Glenn Kenny

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

For the thirtieth anniversary of its premiere comes the vivid and immersive history behind Martin Scorsese’s signature film Goodfellas, hailed by critics as the greatest mob movie ever made.

When Goodfellas first hit the theatres in 1990, a classic was born. Few could anticipate the unparalleled influence it would have on pop culture, one that would inspire future filmmakers and redefine the gangster picture as we know it today. From the rush of grotesque violence in the opening scene to the iconic hilarity of Joe Pesci’s endlessly quoted “Funny how?” shtick, it’s little wonder the film is widely regarded as a mainstay in contemporary cinema.

In the first ever behind-the-scenes story of Goodfellas, film critic Glenn Kenny chronicles the making and afterlife of the film that introduced America to the real modern gangster—brutal, ruthless, yet darkly appealing, the villain we can’t get enough of. Featuring interviews with the film’s major players, including Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Made Men shines a light on the lives and stories wrapped up in the Goodfellas universe, and why its enduring legacy is still essential to charting the trajectory of American culture thirty years later.

Definitely for diehard fans of Scorsese and the movie

This will certainly keep the interest of fans of the movie and of Scorsese, but with an asterisk. The author is extremely thorough - to a fault. Many times, he spends so much energy giving the history of small components that the line blurs between whether he’s telling about the history or the movie itself. By the time the book really starts escalating through the movie, I’m sure there will be many that will be bored and/or apathetic. The narrator is also a little too “matter-of-fact“, because there really isn’t much emotion in his voice throughout.

Loved it!!

Totally recommend if you’re a Goodfellas/Scorsese fan!

Plenty of insight into the real characters and the actual story of Henry Hill

Very enjoyable.

It kept my attention. I love all of the gangster stories. This has one of my favorite readers. I’ve listened twice back to back.

Disregard the bad reviews - it’s a worthy read

…which clearly have an axe to grind. (Beware of someone calling out pedantry. It’s projection.)

This book is for any who cares about film, and film history. It features a methodical close reading of the film to place moments in their historical context (not “script reading” and what that implies). It’s less a documentary and more a book length, wide ranging essay on the film, by someone chosen by Scorcese himself to do just that.

Started Slow, But a Very Enjoyable Listen

Not sure why, but the introduction made me regret buying the book and the first chapter did little to change that. Then it all came together and this was a very entertaining book. If you liked the movie, you will like the book.

The book is as much about Martin Scorsese, as it is about Goodfellas.