Apparently this scene came about because something like it happened to or around Joe Pesci in real life. They improvised it during rehearsals, then wrote a script for it, then filmed it with a couple of wide shots because Scorsese, who is a fucking genius, knew that seeing the surrounding group was as important as seeing Pesci and Liotta talk to each other. One of the greatest scenes in American cinema. Flawless acting, writing, directing, editing. Even the extras are on point.
Michael Franzese said Joe Pesci is by far the most accurate portrayal of a mobster/wise guy he's ever seen, and that he's seen ton like him in real life. I buy it 100%.
@shafta99 I can realte to that... its very fucked up. I hope that didnt had too much of a negative impact on you. Keep ya head up because Life is a journey you don't know what you're about to see on the next pathways :)
Can't believe it, I had no idea he had passed, I only literally remembered this scene and just had to have a watch, I learned he had died from the comments.
Supposedly everyone was afraid of the real Tommy. Tommy’s death may have been the only time someone seen Jimmy Burke cry, but the real Henry was relieved
This scene is so brilliant.. I think Ray Liotta's performance is what really ramps up the tension. His laughing the entire time seems so forced and unnatural, from the very beginning of the scene you get the sense that something is just off. He was a very gifted actor, IMO his decision to overact this scene was very deliberate. In a way, he looks like he's being held at gunpoint (no pun intended). They're all sitting around laughing while Tommy is holding court and telling stories, typically you would expect the people in the party to look relaxed and carefree. Liotta's performance is what clues us in from the beginning that everything is not as it seems. In a way, Tommy is holding the entire group hostage emotionally. They all know he is prone to switch to extreme violence on a dime, and so the over-the-top laughing reads as a desperate attempt to placate to him. Man. They just don't make movies like this anymore. This is art.
Yeah, it's like he's laughing a little _too_ hard, trying to impress and flatter Tommy as much as he can. Kinda reminds me of Jimmy Fallon, if he were actually a convincing actor (or talk show host 😂)
I'm honestly not trying to sound like a jerk, but did you actually read my comment? That was my whole point. Word for word I said, "They all know he (Tommy) is prone to switch to extreme violence on a dime, and so the over-the-top laughing reads as a desperate attempt to placate to him." They all recognize that he can flip out of nowhere, or as you put it, "..he can go from 0 to 1000 in seconds.." I'm just saying. You basically said exactly what I did. @@Reformed1-e1c
When you know your "best friend" is a reckless sociopath, funny or not as he can be you know deep down one day you won't buy time with praises like before.
Yeah the scene has so much detail... when the other guy tries to pacify the situation by calmly saying, "No no Tommy you got it all wrong." And Pesci also calmy but *firmly* replies, "No no Anthony. He's a big boy. He knows what he meant" The mutual respect but at the same time the understanding that Tommy is handling the situation and Anthony acknowledged and stepped back without having to threaten or raise his voice... and thats just the detail of the Tommy and Anthony interaction. There is also the rest of the dialogue that had a lot happening there as well
@@ArmyWolves And then comes at him in the same way at that bar scene with the murder of Spider when he remarked "how could you miss at this distance?" Tommy immediately knocks him back down again. Anthony sure had some balls calling out behavior issues on some one who was batshit crazy as Tommy.
The way Ray Liotta laughs after he realises Tommy was winding him up - the sheer relief the character tries but doesn't quite manage to hide - is an acting masterclass. RIP.
I think the truely great part of this scene is that neither the viewer nor Henry can know for sure, if Tommy was joking or just holding himself back for one second.
@@mark-o-man6603 legit none of the other mobsters knew either LOL. cuz they all know that he's a crazy psychopath killer who's done worse before loool.
Also the way he holds his hands up like a boxer while laughing at the end, and his eyes in fear, while physically laughing without any mirth. Brilliant acting.
I remember as a kid this scene made me hold my breathe, I kinda felt like I've been in that situation somehow around my parents friends... even as an adult watching this feels uneasy and full of uncomfortable anxiety lol. What a legend.
greatest? greatest how? how the fuck is this the greatest scene in movie history? No..I don't know. You said it. YOU SAID IT. Greatest how? What the fuck is so fucking great about this scene?
Tommy: What do you mean I'm funny? Henry: You are very perceptive to details and the overall absurdity of everyday life. You know how to highlight them and weave them into a story. You also have impeccable timing. You are amusing and light hearted, and that is what makes you such dear company to us.
Miles Yuen I do this scene at work all the time with my boss. We’re both massive fans of the Gangster genre of films. Every time we start this scene nearly everyone groans. They’re all sick of seeing us re-enact gangster scenes. I stood up on a table one day and shouted “Made it Ma, Top of the world”. Only my boss got the reference. No one my age has ever seen White Heat.
It's because he's laughing uncomfortably in this scene. Maybe you're right...Cant remember how he looked in the Moorey scene, or when he blew his coke whore off. He doesn't laugh much.
It really is. Think it was the director who said that the real Henry Hill laughs just like that. Which shows how Liotta really did his homework on studding Hill to collect his mannerisms, the way he talks, laughs. It's amazing.
No, the best thing about the acting was how Ray managed such a convincing fake laughter. There was no humour in that laugh and not because he didn't have the acti g chops for it but because he was being a guy that was trying to laugh convincingly but falling just that little bit short.
I'm more so impressed that he made Home Alone and Goodfellas in the same year. I can imagine how hard is to transtition from a gangster role to a kids movie having seen how incredibly invested Pesci was in Goodfellas and yet for some reason he still knocked it outta the park in Home Alone
@ Felipe This is NOT directed at you. I knew the Real Tommy and I ( to this day ) cant stand people who talk like they knew him. This includes Tv documentaries with some journalists talking like they had dinner with him 5 times when they never met him for a second and couldnt pick him out of a line up with a name tag on.
That’s why this scene is so good. You know he’s acting, he’s acting the role of someone who is that scary. The actual ones that are this scary aren’t trying to be because they know they are, and that’s why they’re scary. That’s what makes his performance so good.
I have to disagree, that's one the wort scenes of movie history, mafiosi are a disgrace to be seen they should be eradicate from the suface of the earth.
@@peterhrebik8951 when he talked to Paulie, he was begging for him to do something about Tommy. Paulie says, "They don't listen to me, what am I supposed to do, shoot him?" To which Sonny replied, "That might not be a bad idea." When he saw the look on Paulie's face at this suggestion, he said, "No, I didn't mean that. That was out of line. I just mean he's scaring me. I know he's your friend. That's why I come to you. I need your help with this guy."
When Pesci was young, he worked as a waiter at a restaurant. While attending a mobster, he made a compliment by saying he was “funny”, but the comment wasn’t taken well. When working on Goodfellas, Pesci shared this anecdote with Scorsese, who liked it so much he decided to add it to the film. However, he didn’t include it in the shooting script, so only Pesci and Liotta knew what was happening in the scene, and it was improvised and rehearsed by them, but kept a secret from the rest of the actors in the scene in order to catch their genuine reactions
That's why the bartender shows up early and seemingly just...stands there. The actor doesn't know what to do because they were supposed to be shooting the scene where Tommy rejects the bill and beats him. Also, a bunch of the "You really are a funny guy" at the end were completely improvised.
@@bobhenry6159 usually when they shoot scenes like these actors are allowed to improvise in a controlled scenario. Which is, partly, one of the key ways in which Scorsese based himself to direct the movie. The actors were allowed to sit for hours on the set making up stories, reading newly added script scenes. In this situation the extras were told Tommy is a very unpredictable character but that they should go along with whatever he's doing. They thought it was simply a deviation of the script, especially due to the upcoming next scene, but Pesci continued being fixated on Liotta's reaction, so everyone had to go along with it. That's why the "you're right" sounds so forced. Even, if the first phrase may sound a bit too perfect, add-libbing was also used, so they could change his words to something that could sound better. That's why everyone was so uncomfortable too, they didn't know what the hell was going, but they had to play along and pretend to be tough gangsters all of a sudden. Just like their real life characters would have done in such a situation.
One thing among the many that I appreciate in this scene is that the jokes the characters laugh at are legitimately funny to the audience as well, which for some reason is incredibly rare in a film. The punchline of "yeah alright for SEVEN THOUSAND I charged him" really made me laugh out loud, it just makes the whole situation and Pesci's character all the more believable.
Spihk heart bust!? Can you use Bozeman Hotmail Recipient's Roomies Ghnavel Feces to spihk heartbust all all time mates internet friends for people in Planet of the Apes movies with Bozeman Hotmail Recipient and Patriots Server Janice Lahai!?
Rest In Peace - Truly One Of The Greatest Actors, he may not have reached stardom heights to the standards of Tom Cruise, but all of Ray Liotta's films are a testament to his acting prowess
I couldn't believe it when I heard he passed, too young. I feel like after Goodfellas Ray Liotta never quite got the recognition he deserved. Rest in peace.
Probably old news to anybody who's a fan of the movie, but to anyone less familiar: DeVito wasn't supposed to get offended at all - in the script, his story is the entire scene. But Joe Pesci used to wait tables in a place frequented by mobsters and once went through this exact conversation. So he asked to work it into the film, and the result remains one of the most iconic dialogue scenes in movie history.
he packed so much in this one scene. 1- freaked out henry and the other mobsters with "funny how" 2- smashed the glass over the restaurant owner's head 3- waves his gun around, pretends to put it in henry's mouth 4- catches the hawaiian lei guy staring at him and rages in front of the whole restaurant and throws something at him. 5- comes back and tells more jokes, tackles henry pesci does all of this in under 5 minutes and it's one of the best scenes in movie history.
You mean Joe Pesci not Danny DeVito lmao Edit: just realized you meant TOMMY DeVito the name of the character Pesci plays irl. Lol first names matter in this context
Its funny and highlights a key aspect of the criminal lifestyle that many people may recognize but are not too familiar with is the high importance of hierarchy. In prison, saying or doing the wrong thing that may not even be intentional can get you beat up, raped or killed. However, power is everything and those that are strong enough or have the right connections can get away with play fighting without having to actually fight, a fine balance that if mishandled can embarrass someone which leads to being whacked.
Joe Pesci has mentioned in several interviews this was inspired by a real life experience he had, except he was on the receiving side. A mobster was a regular at a bar he worked in, he was telling a story, and a young Pesci said “you’re a funny guy” and it went from there. So maybe a bit loose, but certainly not “improvised”.
@@vjreimedia yep you’re 100% right, I’ve worked on half a dozen films and this is how it goes. Nothing wrong with it tho, still a great time with people who have a passion for film.
I noticed that too. And all of them were laughing as if their lives depended on it. I'm funny- how. I'm not funny - why not? Word was probably out - laugh at his jokes or else no dessert...ever
I read yesterday that Joe Pesci had an incident during his days as a busboy where he called a mobster funny, and they didn’t take it as a compliment. That incident ended up being the catalyst for this scene.
I respect respect Scorsese for listening to his talent and including this in the film, I heard of some directors really dumping on actors and never listening to them.
@@Hopium500 not really: they rehearsed what they were going to do; they crowd around them didnt know because they wanted to keep it as real as possible.
RIP Ray, you gave us so much over the years, but Goodfellas is where you were truly top class as Henry. Never will forget the wonderful acting you delivered over and over again.
He’s incredible as the Father of Johnny Depp’s character (George) in Blow. “Sometimes you flush, sometimes you bust. When you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems and you’re bust, you never think you’re gonna be up again. But, life goes on. Remember that…Money isn’t real, George. It doesn’t matter. It only seems like it does.”
Quite frankly one of the best constructed scenes of all time. Goes from scary to funny continuously throughout the whole thing. Whoever wrote this deserves a KitKat chunky and a cup of tea.
civota mu az ish. They had a basic idea what they were going to do and rehearsed it; the people around them werent in on the scene, only Scorsese, Liotta and Pesci knew.
The more i look at this scene, the LESS i like these people as a whole. They seem horrible. But i still am compelled to watch and appreciate the craftsmanship of all involved. Scorsese movies are really watchable films. He knows how to get people interested and keep them watching. Movies are a treasured part of art and society in general, they are needed.
The intensity and the suspense is absolutely amazing. And you got to give credit to also to the actors in the background how they were able to feed off that as well. I’m so glad that he won the Oscar for best supporting role
Indeed. Some feel the future (at the time) movie Casino was the ultimate mob movie. I strongly disagree. Goodfellas was the second greatest movie about the mob. Only The Godfather was the best of all time. Goodfellas is just one notch below. But by a very slim margin.
Goodfellas is a Exceptional Movie except, that one scene. You know? That one scene where karen throws out the coke and, Henry Hill is supposed to be all mad & scared about it.
Immediately came here after I heard the news of Ray Liotta’s passing. This scene was SO iconic and a master class in improvisation on Pesci’s part but Ray’s candid reaction sold it. Also Ray’s laugh is one of my favorite gifs. Rest easy Goodfella 🙏🏾
it wasnt really imrpovised. because it wasnt made up on the spot. he asked if he could do that part as pesci seen it happening in real life. imrpovising is doing some unauthorized thing that no one has done before. still a great addition to this movie
@@deathrager2404 no, that isn't what improv is at all. it's doing things off script. that's all it is. i can tell you've never taken an acting class. in improv people frequently pull from real life scenarios, ideas they have heard, other acts they might have seen, etc.
@@richjustin06 I have been to their weddings and 4th of July celebrations. I even video taped birthday parties in the Gotti family. In the 70s-80s life was so different. Life was like the Wild West in Brooklyn. White Cadillac Fleetwood broughams. NY was rocking it the 70-80s. The Mob weddings that I attended were true to life of what you see in the movies. Or I should say the movies were to true to life. We had the wildest 4th of Julys probably in the whole country in Brooklyn. Every Block was firing off fire works all night long and heavy stuff.If you go on a roof top you can see all of Brooklyn fireworks in every direction by regular people. It was very nice. By todays standard crazy.
@@vitolazlo5767 That is a trip. This sounds like something out of The Godfather or A Bronx Tale. I remember that scene in Godfather beginning of the movie with that huge Italian wedding. Not sure if you’ve seen the Sopranos spin-off of the movie, saints of Newark. But man that is such an interesting way of how they did things and what happened during that era when the mob was more prevalent in media. I wonder to this day what life is like for some of these old school mafia families in the present day. I know a lot of these guys got RICO charges during the Gotti era when the Feds wire tapped their phones and you don’t hear much about it these days. Anywho, thank you for sharing if you have anymore interesting things or experiences I’m all ears
How can they act so real??? The face expression , the uncomfortablility and all ? This really is best scene in movie ever . Look at their faces ! Talent
Because that scene was heavily improvised. Pesci had this story and Scorcese decided to include it in the scene but he didn't tell the rest of the cast so he can see and film their genuine reaction. That's why it looks so real. Because it was natural
That's what "acting" is, my friend. Making up a character, coming up with a backstory for them, sometimes even a whole life. Most of which isn't ever mentioned anywhere in the movie, but the actor knows what his character is like and can act accordingly. This is why sometimes actors need some sort of warm-up and wind-down phase. Getting into character isn't something you just switch on and off like a switch, it's a process (maybe there are some very talented actors out there who can do that on a whim). I mean, acting schools are a thing for that very exact reason, and it's how we, the audience, can tell good actors from bad actors. A bad actor would look around confused, break character and ask what was going on. A good actor just goes along with whatever is happening. For example, in the movie Thor, when he throws that coffee mug on the ground and demands "another!": That scene was improvised by Chris Hemsworth. The rest of the cast (namely Natalie Portman) just went along with it. Another example: In the Columbo movies, Peter Falk as Columbo would often ask the murder suspects for a pen, or do some other antics (the infamous "Oh, just one more thing..." also was improvised when they needed a scene to be a tad bit longer in the first episode). Those weren't scripted, Falk would give the other actors a chance to act out "looking for a pen". And yet another example: In Star Trek: Voyage home, there's a scene where Checkov and Uhura run around on 1983's earth and ask for directions. The extras where told to "act naturally", so when asked where "the nuclear wessels" are, one of the extras decided to give a response. It wasn't in the script, but Koenig and Nichols didn't break character either, but just played off the response that was given. Third and final example is the movie MASH: The director wouldn't tell his cast when the cameras where rolling and also wouldn't tell them who the camera was focussing on, to get a better, more natural response out of his actors. So, there you have it. We can see lots of improv in many movies. Often times we don't even know that it was improv, because "doing improv" is part of an actor's job.
As scary as Joe Pesci's character was on film, he is still a choir boy compared to the real Tommy DeSimone from which he was based from. The real Tommy would have just outright shot Henry and killed the poor waiter. The real Henry said he was scared most of the time when he was with Tommy because he was just such a homicidal maniac. Killing someone is just an itch he has to scratch.
Indeed. Henry hill did say that Joe was about 95% accurate in portraying him aside from the height difference where joe is 5'4 and the real tommy was like 6'5.
If only Thomas would have shot mental hospital doctors and boys like the boy from "Basic Instinct" (in one of the character's book) who kills his parents for no reason. Wait I'm pretty sure he did. Fuck "Basic Instinct"
Except that Henry Hill made up a lot of bullshit. For instance, there's no evidence backing up the story of Tommy's killing Spider (the kid waiter), and he's changed key details multiple times. That's not the only killing discussed in Nick Pileggi's book that seems like it was fabricated. One should take a career criminal's stories about his own life with a great deal of skepticism. They're not exactly the most honest or psychologically stable people, and they love mythologizing themselves.
What I find fascinating is that Joe Pesci is by no means someone who'd normally be considered intimidating, he is short, out of shape, and has a high-pitched voice, yet he was able to portray such a frightening character so perfectly. Not for an instant was I not convinced that he wouldn't be able to brutally beat somebody to a pulp. Amazing!
Don Logan in Sexy Beast, played by Sir Ben Kingsley. A short unassuming guy but a coiled-up ball of violence and rage that could be set off by the slightest thing.
@@AlchemistOfNirnroot The scene was rehearsed several times, said rehearsals were transcribed, and then a final version was written out based on the rehearsals. So it was scripted by definition
This scene immediately came to my mind when I heard that Ray Liotta passed away today. The chemistry between him, Pesci and De niro is unmatched to this day. A cinema icon, gone too soon. Rest in peace, legend.
Liotta's best acting during this scene was when he didnt say a single word. At the 3:02 mark the way he changed from laughing to completey serious when the owner told Pesci that hes got an outstanding bill of $7,000. He knew publicly humiliating Tommy like this was going to come with serious consequences. Which it did.
You are so right. I rewatched it and realized that Pesci could have shot the restaurant owner on the spot, (Liotta even said later on in the movie that guys sometimes got killed over nothing) which is maybe why Liotta , and the guy sitting next to him were so uncomfortable. If you notice, when Pesci "only" smashed a bottle on the restaurant's owner's forehead, they all laugh because they know it "won't be that big a deal". Jeez, that scene is a masterpiece.......
@@TheRav3nwell, irl, Henry Hill said he witnessed tommy kill people literally over nothing. And since he was in Jimmy's semi independent crew, who were not heavily controlled by a major crime family, that meant they could kill anybody they wanted. Which is why they killed that wise guy, and also why tommy can pretty much get away with killing anybody, just because he could. And because he's psychotic.
Him laughing and cracking a joke after was him saving the dude too. He knew Tommy was loving the attention so it stopped him from getting extra violent
He said ”Funny How?!”😂 I just loved how everybody dressed in this classic movie as well and the cars etc!!!!! I loved how they laughed tho they looked like they had fun filming this classic movie❤ I have this classic movie and many other movies in my collection lined up my wall😂😂😂😂 🎥 all in the original cases on discs bought straight from the store!!!!!
The funny (!) thing is, this wasn't entirely improv. Joe Pesci used to be a waiter in Queens, NYC. He heard a regular customer telling a story to his friends and was laughing with them. Told him he was a funny guy etc., the diner turned out to be a made man and it played it exactly like it did in the film. When they were filming this years later he ad libbed it, but had to track down the same gangster and ask him for permission to include the scene in the film. Ray Liotta confirmed it in an interview, both actors grew up around organised crime and he'd heard the story independently.
Pesci is a student of comedy...hence why he's good at improv, in this scene especially. Only a good comedian can light up a screen and get reactions like this. Comedy is all about beats and he hits them all like a jazz drummer.
Everybody's face expresion around Pesci in this scene is a key factor. I mean...everybody around him. Like when Frankie Carbone looks at Nickey Eyes. Even the guy standing there (Sonny) made two little steps behind in some point when things got serious. Even Paul Sorbino at the back when the camera is on Liotta.
First time I noticed how the whole dining room gets quiet very subtlety, just as the people at the table slowly start to realize how serious it's getting.
and it's the first time i noticed that the other people in the restaurant eventually started laughing too after being concerned or frightened at first. Joe Pesci really is a funny guy 🤣
😂😂 stood there for a good 2 minutes, even if I was owed 7 grand and was daft enough to confront an unpredictable, hot headed Italian gangster in front of a table full of his friends I think I'd feel way too awkward just stood there so long 😂😂
Tommy: How am I funny? Henry: Tommy, it's not merely about jesting or the raw mechanics of humor. It's the allure of your persona, the dynamism that punctuates your narratives. You, my friend, are a raconteur. You weave the tapestry of a tale, meticulously spinning out each thread with precision, replete with vivid imagery and compelling dialogues. Your humor is in the pauses, in the idiosyncrasies, in the suspense and the unexpected turns. It's in the very essence of your being that we find the wit and the jest, and it's the unpredictability, the spontaneous eruption of wit that ensnares us all, grips the room in anticipation. You possess the uncanny ability to transform a mundane anecdote into a gripping spectacle, and it's the swagger with which you execute this performance that commands our undivided attention, that invokes laughter. It's raw, unadulterated, and quintessentially Tommy. That's why you're funny.
F'n ai is in uncanny valley territory man. This is a pretty legit, if somewhat vague, description of how Tommy is funny and I'd buy it. Throw in some specific examples and anecdotes and there would be now way you could tell that wasn't human imo
A great detail about this scene is how much consideration is taken in the production of this movie with the way the background characters react to the main characters- just like how people would in the real world. This is truly one of the greatest movies of all time
Nobody gives Ray Liotta enough props for this scene. That amount of silent tension at 2:05 (which is all on Liotta to provide) is just the perfect amount. A second longer, it becomes obvious, a second too soon, it becomes rushed and obvious. The entire scene hinges on that tension, and the perfect timing of his character "catching on" to the gag, sells the entire scene.
He didn't get enough credit for the role in general. He was a massive part of this movie and why it was so good. He should have won imo. He was brilliant. And you're spot on, in this scene. He nailed it. And that laugh alone is Oscar worthy haha
Exactly right about the timing. Every time I watch it I’m always surprised by how uncomfortably long it is and I can never quite sense when he’s gonna come in
One of the best aspects of this whole scene is the fact that Tommy got as violent as he did, pulled his gun out, smashed a liquor bottle over Sonnie’s head, threw something at a random, innocent bystander, and yet goes back to joking around with all his mob friends, as though nothing even happened. But what’s even crazier than that is how at the end of the scene not only did no one walk out (like normal people probably would), the whole restaurant started laughing at Tommy’s jokes. Brilliant beyond brilliant.
RIP Ray Liotta. An amazing actor that deserved way more recognition than he got. The only person who could play Tommy Vercetti in GTA and Billy Handsome in Mob of The Dead.
U know it kinda bums me out not a lot of people knew tommy vercetti was Ray Liotta. Definitely one of the underdogs that made some kids childhood better
As an Italian I didn't have the chance to see all his movies dubbed on my own language but no point that he was an amazing actor,. One of the best of his generation. He always gave amazing performances. As you wrote he deserved a lot more from the business. Amazing actor and humble, honest, decent human being. God bless him for the wonderful work.
What makes this scene so great is that every table is laughing!! That's what makes this movie so great!! You don't see people like looking away or frowning or upset!! Everyone is laughing!!
That shows how well-constructed is this scene in particular. Tommy was a bad-ass character ever how everyone is scared of him how he can turn from saint to a violent murderer. Even Jimmy was terrified.
Nothing in this film shows Jimmy to be scared of Tommy. In fact, Jimmy is far scarier than Tommy. Tommy is simple. You don't piss him off and you're probably fine. Jimmy on the other hand was paranoid and calculating. More people in this film end up dead because of Jimmy.
Tommy a bad-ass? How? Because he has no qualms about being a dead-beat who won't pay his bill, shames others who do, threatens and kills people? Well that bad-ass got his reward right? By his own buddies he entertained.
I heard that after this scene, Scorcese went up to Joe Pesci and told him "Nice, but that was kind of scary." and Joe Pesci replied: "Scary how?"
Wait Joe you are getting it all wrong
😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Scary how?You mean like a ghost?Im here to scare you?
@@hadisuhail8817 I'm here to make you scream, I'm here to fucking scare you?
Scorcese: Just.. how you did the acting, y'know
“Whoa, whoa, Anthony. He’s a big boy he knows what he said.”
The whole scene is absolute perfection.
Apparently this scene came about because something like it happened to or around Joe Pesci in real life. They improvised it during rehearsals, then wrote a script for it, then filmed it with a couple of wide shots because Scorsese, who is a fucking genius, knew that seeing the surrounding group was as important as seeing Pesci and Liotta talk to each other.
One of the greatest scenes in American cinema. Flawless acting, writing, directing, editing. Even the extras are on point.
Anthony was like “you right”
U know what’s crazy I never noticed, the guy who got smashed with the bottle on his head was standing there the whole time lmao
Fuggedaboudit!!
@@JoeyKincaid-u9m"I worry about you, Henry-You may fold under questioning!"-Foreshadowing at it's finest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tommy predicted it, ''I wonder about you sometimes Henry, you may fold under questioning''.
Holy shit thank you I never noticed that before!
Yeah on the drugs charges that's correct but Henry chose to take the deal and become a rat so he did fold under questioning.
Probably the writers invented the line.
elitedonk I mean he wasn’t gonna fold until his bestfriends were going to kill him. He snitched so he wouldn’t die
And he did fold...tommy is a prophet
Michael Franzese said Joe Pesci is by far the most accurate portrayal of a mobster/wise guy he's ever seen, and that he's seen ton like him in real life. I buy it 100%.
How would you know? You probably only know about wise guys from other movies you saw
@@samk.4158 calm down
Accurate how ?
@@samk.4158 I'm going by WHAT Michael himself said - as in quoting Michael. Dunce
@@TranceSFXMichael is known to be a fraud
I’ve watched this hundreds of times yet I still get nervous when he gets serious. Amazing scene
right lmao like bruh you fucked up why you even say that! oh wait lmaooooo
@shafta99 I can realte to that... its very fucked up.
I hope that didnt had too much of a negative impact on you.
Keep ya head up because Life is a journey you don't know what you're about to see on the next pathways :)
They don’t do movies like that anymore.
You get nervous because Tommy is crazy enough to whip out his .357 from his waist and shove it in your mouth --- like he did to Billy Batts
it gives me chills how da entire restaurant seems to get quiet
Just came back to this masterpiece after Ray Liotta passing. Rest In Peace, Goodfella.
Me too ,I’m just paying respect too
Can't believe it, I had no idea he had passed, I only literally remembered this scene and just had to have a watch, I learned he had died from the comments.
my heart is broken, I came here just for this. RIP legend he also was tomm vercetti in gta VICE CITY
Epic scene. RIP
🙏💔
Ray Liotta‘s laughing face looks like half laughing half terrified
Supposedly everyone was afraid of the real Tommy. Tommy’s death may have been the only time someone seen Jimmy Burke cry, but the real Henry was relieved
Now imagine that scene but instead of Joe its someone with the build of Sylvester Stallone, thats basically what the real Tommy looked like.
Great actor probably what Henry looked like..
Not only Liotta...
No its just opened mouthed but really wide
This scene is so brilliant.. I think Ray Liotta's performance is what really ramps up the tension. His laughing the entire time seems so forced and unnatural, from the very beginning of the scene you get the sense that something is just off. He was a very gifted actor, IMO his decision to overact this scene was very deliberate. In a way, he looks like he's being held at gunpoint (no pun intended). They're all sitting around laughing while Tommy is holding court and telling stories, typically you would expect the people in the party to look relaxed and carefree. Liotta's performance is what clues us in from the beginning that everything is not as it seems. In a way, Tommy is holding the entire group hostage emotionally. They all know he is prone to switch to extreme violence on a dime, and so the over-the-top laughing reads as a desperate attempt to placate to him. Man. They just don't make movies like this anymore. This is art.
Yeah, it's like he's laughing a little _too_ hard, trying to impress and flatter Tommy as much as he can. Kinda reminds me of Jimmy Fallon, if he were actually a convincing actor (or talk show host 😂)
Coz Tommy is a psychopath. If he can go from 0 to 1000 in seconds, its best not to be near him
I'm honestly not trying to sound like a jerk, but did you actually read my comment? That was my whole point.
Word for word I said, "They all know he (Tommy) is prone to switch to extreme violence on a dime, and so the over-the-top laughing reads as a desperate attempt to placate to him."
They all recognize that he can flip out of nowhere, or as you put it, "..he can go from 0 to 1000 in seconds.."
I'm just saying. You basically said exactly what I did.
@@Reformed1-e1c
Brilliant How?
Agreed, except that there aren't good movies still being made
I love the over the top forced laughter. The underlying fear they all have for this guy. Great scene.
I mean he's Crazy The type of Guy it's The Most Dangerous.
When you know your "best friend" is a reckless sociopath, funny or not as he can be you know deep down one day you won't buy time with praises like before.
not forced
The actor was genuine scared
@@Chordus_Gaius Nah, he's Paid to act, LOL
The performance of the background actors really sold it for me. The uncomfortable tension they subtly show is amazing.
Notice how the clinking of the cutlery stops as well.
Well said. NONE of them want to be there at that moment.
Yeah the scene has so much detail... when the other guy tries to pacify the situation by calmly saying, "No no Tommy you got it all wrong."
And Pesci also calmy but *firmly* replies, "No no Anthony. He's a big boy. He knows what he meant"
The mutual respect but at the same time the understanding that Tommy is handling the situation and Anthony acknowledged and stepped back without having to threaten or raise his voice... and thats just the detail of the Tommy and Anthony interaction. There is also the rest of the dialogue that had a lot happening there as well
@@ArmyWolves And then comes at him in the same way at that bar scene with the murder of Spider when he remarked "how could you miss at this distance?" Tommy immediately knocks him back down again. Anthony sure had some balls calling out behavior issues on some one who was batshit crazy as Tommy.
Joe pesci and ray liota were the only 2 in on the scene. Everyone else was left in the dark, thats how they got it to play out like this.
The way Ray Liotta laughs after he realises Tommy was winding him up - the sheer relief the character tries but doesn't quite manage to hide - is an acting masterclass. RIP.
I think the truely great part of this scene is that neither the viewer nor Henry can know for sure, if Tommy was joking or just holding himself back for one second.
@@mark-o-man6603 Yes!
@@mark-o-man6603 legit none of the other mobsters knew either LOL. cuz they all know that he's a crazy psychopath killer who's done worse before loool.
Yeah.
U can say that again.
But then again.
Ray liotta has always been a class act.
Great actor.
Also the way he holds his hands up like a boxer while laughing at the end, and his eyes in fear, while physically laughing without any mirth. Brilliant acting.
I remember as a kid this scene made me hold my breathe, I kinda felt like I've been in that situation somehow around my parents friends... even as an adult watching this feels uneasy and full of uncomfortable anxiety lol. What a legend.
I'm glad you feel the anxiety that I do lmao
You would've folded under questioning.
@@jerrynadler2883 😂😂😂
*hold my breath. I
The tension made me laugh harder cause I'm like answer the question 😂😂 I've been around this situation before and bust out laughing 😂😂
easily one of the greatest scenes in movie history
Marcus Wellz
greatest? greatest how? how the fuck is this the greatest scene in movie history?
No..I don't know. You said it. YOU SAID IT.
Greatest how? What the fuck is so fucking great about this scene?
It was actually something that Joe Pesci came up with on camera lol.
@@squeet6831 You're a great guy.
Easily
Ray’s laughing face has accounted for 50% of my gifs…
Mine too 🤣🤣🤣
Me2...😆
Same 🤣💪🏻
What the hell is a gifs,btw,pesci said it kidding around but it turned out Henry hill did fold under questioning
And memes
Tommy: What do you mean I'm funny?
Henry: You are very perceptive to details and the overall absurdity of everyday life. You know how to highlight them and weave them into a story. You also have impeccable timing. You are amusing and light hearted, and that is what makes you such dear company to us.
Impeccable how?
Perceptive how? You said it. You're a big boy. Answer for yourself. Am I here to perceive for you, is that it?
@@rockhopper01 impeccable how x)
Yeah, now say that knowing you have a nut in front of you with a hair-trigger and worse a gun.
What, am I here to AMUSE you??
He should have said that you’re funny in the way that you don’t have the makings of a varsity athlete .
"I mean don't you love me ?"
I’m here before this comment blows up
The pro is in the comment section of every video I watch.
GODaAAMNit jUNyah!!
He never did have the makings of a varsity outfit
I'm still waiting on one of my friends telling me I'm funny so I can reenact this scene
Man you're a funny guy
@@Mrcooldude2144 obviously doesn't want to hear it that much
Stephen Ayers ikr man was a funny guy guess he didn’t think he was that funny
Miles Yuen I do this scene at work all the time with my boss. We’re both massive fans of the Gangster genre of films.
Every time we start this scene nearly everyone groans. They’re all sick of seeing us re-enact gangster scenes.
I stood up on a table one day and shouted “Made it Ma, Top of the world”. Only my boss got the reference. No one my age has ever seen White Heat.
@@CNR666 damn i want that kind of boss
Ray Liotta's laughing face is hilarious
It's because he's laughing uncomfortably in this scene.
Maybe you're right...Cant remember how he looked in the Moorey scene, or when he blew his coke whore off. He doesn't laugh much.
Now he can't even smile because of all the botox and plastic surgery.
Hilarious how?
Waseem Parker You know Henry actually laughed like that in real life.
Classic
If you meet someone like this in real life, RUN.
He's POTUS now...
You run lol. Fuck run for
no stay he sav with respect
Nah forget that, if you meet someone like this in real life, beat the living crap out of them, show them who's boss
Jack Gold better make sure you kill them though, Tommy is a madman 😂
This scene is so insanely legendary in cinema history, what a masterpiece.And WTF is that Liotta's laugh? So great.
When I first saw it, I found myself moving back into my chair!
I love how even though Tommy is the smallest guy in the room everyone there is scared of his wrath.
He was great at making himself out to be like he was 7 feet tall. lol
Hi
Guns cancel out size real quick
@@BSaifulla313 how tall was he
@@nanashi5139 6'9" at 350 Lbs
“You may fold under pressure.”
Brilliant foreshadowing
Under questioning
😂
@@henrlima87 which he ofc did
@@henrlima87 🤣
Pay atention, he says, you may fold under questioning
How Pesci stops mid sentence...."wtf are you looking at " kills me every time 😂
He doesn't like people looking at him.
3:20 SOLID GOLD!
656
And then the "you're right" in the background.
So funny 😆
the lighting, the camera work, the dialogue, the characters, the acting. It's art. Perfection
Yeah
It wasn’t scripted either so it’s even better
What do you mean perfection?
@@bajskukperfection
And, shot in film not digital with it's harshness.
Ray Liotta's laugh was so iconic here. Such a wonderful and charismatic actor, may he rest in peace.
It really is. Think it was the director who said that the real Henry Hill laughs just like that. Which shows how Liotta really did his homework on studding Hill to collect his mannerisms, the way he talks, laughs. It's amazing.
No, the best thing about the acting was how Ray managed such a convincing fake laughter. There was no humour in that laugh and not because he didn't have the acti g chops for it but because he was being a guy that was trying to laugh convincingly but falling just that little bit short.
The laugh was actually Martin Scorsese's laugh edited into the scene Still, Liotta deserved an Oscar nomination for this movie. RIP
Bof !
I'll definitely miss ray liotta .what a legend
Can you believe this guy was in Home Alone as one of the 2 buffoons! Incredible.
He really is a funny guy.
I'm more so impressed that he made Home Alone and Goodfellas in the same year. I can imagine how hard is to transtition from a gangster role to a kids movie having seen how incredibly invested Pesci was in Goodfellas and yet for some reason he still knocked it outta the park in Home Alone
@@monikaparmar2061 funny how?
And In the same year
@@NektPapageo you know. The way he acts.
"Let me get this straight, you think I'm funny?"
"I do, and I'm tired of pretending you're not"
Edit: Jesus, never expected so many likes...
Best comment in the history of UA-cam
You’re laughing. You’re laughing. Someone was told to go fuck their mudda and you’re laughing
Hahahahahahahha
@ Felipe This is NOT directed at you. I knew the Real Tommy and I ( to this day ) cant stand people who talk like they knew him. This includes Tv documentaries with some journalists talking like they had dinner with him 5 times when they never met him for a second and couldnt pick him out of a line up with a name tag on.
Oh so youre tired eh...multiple shots fired
This scene is exactly why I love Joe Pesci. One moment, you’re laughing, and then you’re just utterly terrified of him.
That’s why this scene is so good. You know he’s acting, he’s acting the role of someone who is that scary. The actual ones that are this scary aren’t trying to be because they know they are, and that’s why they’re scary. That’s what makes his performance so good.
One of the greatest scenes in movie history. RIP Ray Liotta.
When the news of him passing away. I came back here to see this scene before I go to work quick 🪦
priceless.
This and the desert scene in casino where pesci and di niro are exchanging words mad asf at eachother
I have to disagree, that's one the wort scenes of movie history, mafiosi are a disgrace to be seen they should be eradicate from the suface of the earth.
Can't believe he's gone
Now imagine being that waiter, just waiting for the right moment to interrupt a good story at a table full of goodfellas.
That’s not a waiter that’s a guy who owns the restaurant. He later had a conversation with Paulie sort of demanding having tony clipped.
@@peterhrebik8951 when he talked to Paulie, he was begging for him to do something about Tommy. Paulie says, "They don't listen to me, what am I supposed to do, shoot him?" To which Sonny replied, "That might not be a bad idea." When he saw the look on Paulie's face at this suggestion, he said, "No, I didn't mean that. That was out of line. I just mean he's scaring me. I know he's your friend. That's why I come to you. I need your help with this guy."
Al Bundy ..he could get killed for just that ,for just agreeing ,not even asking to kill a made guy,a wise guy
@@emiltoutou1 Tommy was NOT a made guy.
then you are a waiter in the wrong place mate
When Pesci was young, he worked as a waiter at a restaurant. While attending a mobster, he made a compliment by saying he was “funny”, but the comment wasn’t taken well. When working on Goodfellas, Pesci shared this anecdote with Scorsese, who liked it so much he decided to add it to the film. However, he didn’t include it in the shooting script, so only Pesci and Liotta knew what was happening in the scene, and it was improvised and rehearsed by them, but kept a secret from the rest of the actors in the scene in order to catch their genuine reactions
U r informatively handy
That's why the bartender shows up early and seemingly just...stands there. The actor doesn't know what to do because they were supposed to be shooting the scene where Tommy rejects the bill and beats him.
Also, a bunch of the "You really are a funny guy" at the end were completely improvised.
@@bobhenry6159 usually when they shoot scenes like these actors are allowed to improvise in a controlled scenario. Which is, partly, one of the key ways in which Scorsese based himself to direct the movie.
The actors were allowed to sit for hours on the set making up stories, reading newly added script scenes. In this situation the extras were told Tommy is a very unpredictable character but that they should go along with whatever he's doing. They thought it was simply a deviation of the script, especially due to the upcoming next scene, but Pesci continued being fixated on Liotta's reaction, so everyone had to go along with it. That's why the "you're right" sounds so forced. Even, if the first phrase may sound a bit too perfect, add-libbing was also used, so they could change his words to something that could sound better.
That's why everyone was so uncomfortable too, they didn't know what the hell was going, but they had to play along and pretend to be tough gangsters all of a sudden. Just like their real life characters would have done in such a situation.
@@bobhenry6159 Who pissed in your cheerio's, bro?
nonsense
One thing among the many that I appreciate in this scene is that the jokes the characters laugh at are legitimately funny to the audience as well, which for some reason is incredibly rare in a film.
The punchline of "yeah alright for SEVEN THOUSAND I charged him" really made me laugh out loud, it just makes the whole situation and Pesci's character all the more believable.
Spihk heart bust!? Can you use Bozeman Hotmail Recipient's Roomies Ghnavel Feces to spihk heartbust all all time mates internet friends for people in Planet of the Apes movies with Bozeman Hotmail Recipient and Patriots Server Janice Lahai!?
Rest In Peace - Truly One Of The Greatest Actors, he may not have reached stardom heights to the standards of Tom Cruise, but all of Ray Liotta's films are a testament to his acting prowess
I couldn't believe it when I heard he passed, too young. I feel like after Goodfellas Ray Liotta never quite got the recognition he deserved. Rest in peace.
As soon as I heard I wanted to watch this scene. Rih
@@living_myjoy gonna rewatch tonight
liotta was a legend in the movies, and the video game industry as tommy vercetti
@@ian_dot_com love it….. Same here!
Was so young in Goodfellas, probably the youngest. You wouldn't think he'd be the first(I believe) to pass away. Rip
I love that the restaurant owner decides that THAT was the time to bother Tommy about money. He didn’t mean to be out of order tho
But it's seven fucking big ones, come on..
@@TonyJBroni yeah that ain’t peanuts tbf
Well he did straighten his kid out last week, did for 7000 even.
@@ericr9701 he Christened his kid too
I think he thought it was a good time because he wasn't alone and he was wisecracking and in a seemingly good mood 🙈
“I wonder about you sometimes Henry, you may fold under questioning.”
He really is a funny guy.
Funny how? Like a clown here to amuse you?
CCJJ160Channels hahaha he was funny and he was right about Henry.
What the FUCK is so FUNNY about him?? LOL
@@ONTHEEDGEFRED The way he talks is funny and how he tells a story
It’s called foreshadowing
Cinematic perfection. Still wonderful after 30 years and 3,987 viewings.
Joe Pesci is an absolute LEGEND, the only actor who can make you laugh and scare you to the death at the same time.
Is he here to make you laugh? To fucking amuse you?
That same goes to Ice Cube too, he can be funny and scary at the same time
Like how he scared Henry Hill, but got his ass kicked by a damn 10 year old...
How funny?
Not exactly at the same time.
Only 5 seconds later.
Which is the really scary part.
I died when he yelled the last time “you really are a funny guy” hilarious
That absolutely killed me😭😂
😭😭😭😭
Thats it!🗡
What do you mean "you died"? "Died" how?
What do you mean you died? Do I look like a fucking coroner or something?
The man created one of the most popular memes before the internet. A great performance! RIP, King. 👑
Nope people didn’t obsess about one thing like an autist people just used to live
@@jackybogues2495 You’re big gay, Jacky.
Popular how?
@@genocidehero9687 :)
@@genocidehero9687 the whole bit of “how am I funny ? I’m here to fuckin amuse you.. tell me how I’m funny”
Everyone knows it and quoted it
"You really are funny a guy!!!" "Thats it!!!"
That was so good
“How am I funny?”
Me: You’re from Home Alone
Lol
@@henryesj6242 Moth**fu**** You You!
@@dr_palmtree4734 what the fuck is so funny about me tell me, tell m what’s funny
And lethal weapon
Tommy: How am I funny?
Me: You know, aren’t you the guy who designed the Regular guy look? In Easy Money?
Probably old news to anybody who's a fan of the movie, but to anyone less familiar: DeVito wasn't supposed to get offended at all - in the script, his story is the entire scene. But Joe Pesci used to wait tables in a place frequented by mobsters and once went through this exact conversation. So he asked to work it into the film, and the result remains one of the most iconic dialogue scenes in movie history.
he packed so much in this one scene.
1- freaked out henry and the other mobsters with "funny how"
2- smashed the glass over the restaurant owner's head
3- waves his gun around, pretends to put it in henry's mouth
4- catches the hawaiian lei guy staring at him and rages in front of the whole restaurant and throws something at him.
5- comes back and tells more jokes, tackles henry
pesci does all of this in under 5 minutes and it's one of the best scenes in movie history.
Lore has it that the scene was unscripted...?
You mean Joe Pesci not Danny DeVito lmao
Edit: just realized you meant TOMMY DeVito the name of the character Pesci plays irl. Lol first names matter in this context
Its funny and highlights a key aspect of the criminal lifestyle that many people may recognize but are not too familiar with is the high importance of hierarchy. In prison, saying or doing the wrong thing that may not even be intentional can get you beat up, raped or killed. However, power is everything and those that are strong enough or have the right connections can get away with play fighting without having to actually fight, a fine balance that if mishandled can embarrass someone which leads to being whacked.
Where did Pesci say this? Was it an interview?
The fact this scene wasnt scripted and how tense it got and the camera kept rolling without a "cut"... brilliance
And all the actors and extras stayed in character
Joe Pesci has mentioned in several interviews this was inspired by a real life experience he had, except he was on the receiving side. A mobster was a regular at a bar he worked in, he was telling a story, and a young Pesci said “you’re a funny guy” and it went from there. So maybe a bit loose, but certainly not “improvised”.
@@vjreimedia yep you’re 100% right, I’ve worked on half a dozen films and this is how it goes. Nothing wrong with it tho, still a great time with people who have a passion for film.
@@jameshershberger8085 he drew on an experience he had in life, that doesn't mean it's not improvised, wth?
@@vjreimedia plenty of scenes and dialogue in movies are improvised. Some clown who pushes some buttons thinks he knows how everything works.
Now Tommy DeVito is the starting quarterback for the NY Giants.
He needs to get his shine box
@@footballbarcafan10 he is pretty popular there for Big Blue.
And he's a funny guy.
Ray's laughing face is like half laughing- half crying.
😅
he looks like hes in agony
I noticed that too. And all of them were laughing as if their lives depended on it.
I'm funny- how.
I'm not funny - why not?
Word was probably out - laugh at his jokes or else no dessert...ever
🤣😂 I see that now
Joe Pesci is like a living cartoon.
Tommy is so f$#@%* funny.
Best comment
The Good Feathers Cartoon is based off this movie. The Pesci bird is awesome
like hes here to amuse you??
A cartoon like what? A joke? Pesci is a joke to you? He's here to make you laugh?
I read yesterday that Joe Pesci had an incident during his days as a busboy where he called a mobster funny, and they didn’t take it as a compliment. That incident ended up being the catalyst for this scene.
Yep this whole scene is virtually Joe pesci ad libbing incredibly.
Funny how?
I respect respect Scorsese for listening to his talent and including this in the film, I heard of some directors really dumping on actors and never listening to them.
@@Hopium500 not really: they rehearsed what they were going to do; they crowd around them didnt know because they wanted to keep it as real as possible.
"You might fold under questioning" -- aged like fine wine
"You really are a funny guy" gets me every time lol
Rip Ray
Joe pesci and Ray Liotta did everything right in this scene. You don't see that kind of stuff in today's movies.
Yep and also funny how?
Yeah and obviously your kissing Nat King Cole ova here.
Bruh no cap I read it as rip gay
I'm going Italiano 👌 and love being foucking Italian
RIP Ray, you gave us so much over the years, but Goodfellas is where you were truly top class as Henry. Never will forget the wonderful acting you delivered over and over again.
"Something Wild" is maybe in second place to "Goodfellas" in his career.
for Ray 💐🙏 (1954 - 2022)
The dude held his own against Hollywood giants like De Niro, what a legend 👏
I checked the news for 3 days, hoping there was a misprint or correction. Still cant believe he's gone.
He’s incredible as the Father of Johnny Depp’s character (George) in Blow. “Sometimes you flush, sometimes you bust. When you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems and you’re bust, you never think you’re gonna be up again. But, life goes on. Remember that…Money isn’t real, George. It doesn’t matter. It only seems like it does.”
Quite frankly one of the best constructed scenes of all time. Goes from scary to funny continuously throughout the whole thing. Whoever wrote this deserves a KitKat chunky and a cup of tea.
It was improv
civota mu az ish. They had a basic idea what they were going to do and rehearsed it; the people around them werent in on the scene, only Scorsese, Liotta and Pesci knew.
The more i look at this scene, the LESS i like these people as a whole. They seem horrible. But i still am compelled to watch and appreciate the craftsmanship of all involved. Scorsese movies are really watchable films. He knows how to get people interested and keep them watching. Movies are a treasured part of art and society in general, they are needed.
KitKat Chunky & Cup o' Tea
= great combo!
And I deserve his wife
The intensity and the suspense is absolutely amazing. And you got to give credit to also to the actors in the background how they were able to feed off that as well.
I’m so glad that he won the Oscar for best supporting role
@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?
The transition of being "funny" into serious with Pesci is brilliant. The whole movie is GOLD
FUNNY HOW?
Indeed. Some feel the future (at the time) movie Casino was the ultimate mob movie. I strongly disagree. Goodfellas was the second greatest movie about the mob. Only The Godfather was the best of all time. Goodfellas is just one notch below. But by a very slim margin.
Goodfellas is a Exceptional Movie except, that one scene. You know? That one scene where karen throws out the coke and, Henry Hill is supposed to be all mad & scared about it.
@@arachnidman8eyes Like the top comment. Scary how?
@@forChloe I don't mean The comment is scary. Ray liotta weak acting, you can see it in Goodfellas.
I watched this scene about 200times...
And still get nervouse and tense...
It's like all the air out of the room is sucked out all of a sudden. Such a great scene.
Yeah exactly. Such an uncomfortable scene to sit through. Yet it's so genuine cus that's probably how everyone is feeling right there at the table.
Agreed I could watch this scene many times and still laugh every time.
I love Henry's fake, exaggerated laugh. The laugh of a man who knows he damn well better be laughing when one of these psychos makes a joke.
Henry hill is a pathological liar
@@2ruehenderson A pathological liar is better than a pathological killer.
"You may fold under questioning" and Ray's laughter after that is one of the best bits!
Immediately came here after I heard the news of Ray Liotta’s passing. This scene was SO iconic and a master class in improvisation on Pesci’s part but Ray’s candid reaction sold it. Also Ray’s laugh is one of my favorite gifs. Rest easy Goodfella 🙏🏾
@Barry Obama Funny how? Like a clown? Do I amuse you?
@@space_man_sam *NERVOUS HANDS* J..jj..just the way you tell it....it's funny...*concerned look*
Are you sure RAY LIOTA DIED??? 😭 😢 First I have Heard if it !!! I love RAY LIOTA as a actor
@@birddog7248 Yeah man 😔 about a month ago. Dude’s a straight up legend.
Improv? Which parts??
The real Tommy was seriously unpredictable like this, he even shot a man on the street for no reason.
Yup. The real Henry said he was actually toned down for the movie and was even more violent in real life.
@@lucashenderson2775 Jesus
It's so realistic though, these are some kind of interaction you see a lot in little towns
It's some kind of fun we all like somehow in Italy
I love how people on youtube and TV make comments about him like they actually knew. I DID and WELL !
The fact that joe pesci improvised this scene and Ray liotta and everyone else's reaction is legit makes it even more GOLD
it wasnt really imrpovised. because it wasnt made up on the spot. he asked if he could do that part as pesci seen it happening in real life. imrpovising is doing some unauthorized thing that no one has done before. still a great addition to this movie
@@deathrager2404 no, that isn't what improv is at all. it's doing things off script. that's all it is. i can tell you've never taken an acting class. in improv people frequently pull from real life scenarios, ideas they have heard, other acts they might have seen, etc.
@@ryukaganzeroful its doing things UNREHEARSED off script. this was rehearsed. what a moron and even thumbing your own comment up. L by default
He actually witnessed a scene like that when he lived in New Jersey
@@deathrager2404 if it’s off script why would it be rehearsed 😂
“I wonder about you sometimes Henry, you may fold under questioning”
Possibly the most powerful line in the movie!
This scene is 100% true to life. I witnessed mob behavior in Brooklyn in those days and I even used to go to that same restaurant in the 80's.
What restaurant is that?
@@markraposo8076 it was called Colaros restaurant. Not sure the exact spelling. it was on Coney Island ave not far from ave Z
@@vitolazlo5767 love to hear more of your stories about the mob guys. Nowadays it’s not really talked about much
@@richjustin06 I have been to their weddings and 4th of July celebrations. I even video taped birthday parties in the Gotti family. In the 70s-80s life was so different. Life was like the Wild West in Brooklyn. White Cadillac Fleetwood broughams. NY was rocking it the 70-80s. The Mob weddings that I attended were true to life of what you see in the movies. Or I should say the movies were to true to life. We had the wildest 4th of Julys probably in the whole country in Brooklyn. Every Block was firing off fire works all night long and heavy stuff.If you go on a roof top you can see all of Brooklyn fireworks in every direction by regular people. It was very nice. By todays standard crazy.
@@vitolazlo5767 That is a trip. This sounds like something out of The Godfather or A Bronx Tale. I remember that scene in Godfather beginning of the movie with that huge Italian wedding. Not sure if you’ve seen the Sopranos spin-off of the movie, saints of Newark. But man that is such an interesting way of how they did things and what happened during that era when the mob was more prevalent in media. I wonder to this day what life is like for some of these old school mafia families in the present day. I know a lot of these guys got RICO charges during the Gotti era when the Feds wire tapped their phones and you don’t hear much about it these days. Anywho, thank you for sharing if you have anymore interesting things or experiences I’m all ears
How can they act so real??? The face expression , the uncomfortablility and all ? This really is best scene in movie ever . Look at their faces ! Talent
Yeah man. Everyone is looking around like "should I stay in character? What's going on?"
Because that scene was heavily improvised. Pesci had this story and Scorcese decided to include it in the scene but he didn't tell the rest of the cast so he can see and film their genuine reaction. That's why it looks so real. Because it was natural
That's what "acting" is, my friend. Making up a character, coming up with a backstory for them, sometimes even a whole life. Most of which isn't ever mentioned anywhere in the movie, but the actor knows what his character is like and can act accordingly.
This is why sometimes actors need some sort of warm-up and wind-down phase. Getting into character isn't something you just switch on and off like a switch, it's a process (maybe there are some very talented actors out there who can do that on a whim).
I mean, acting schools are a thing for that very exact reason, and it's how we, the audience, can tell good actors from bad actors. A bad actor would look around confused, break character and ask what was going on. A good actor just goes along with whatever is happening.
For example, in the movie Thor, when he throws that coffee mug on the ground and demands "another!": That scene was improvised by Chris Hemsworth. The rest of the cast (namely Natalie Portman) just went along with it.
Another example: In the Columbo movies, Peter Falk as Columbo would often ask the murder suspects for a pen, or do some other antics (the infamous "Oh, just one more thing..." also was improvised when they needed a scene to be a tad bit longer in the first episode). Those weren't scripted, Falk would give the other actors a chance to act out "looking for a pen".
And yet another example: In Star Trek: Voyage home, there's a scene where Checkov and Uhura run around on 1983's earth and ask for directions. The extras where told to "act naturally", so when asked where "the nuclear wessels" are, one of the extras decided to give a response. It wasn't in the script, but Koenig and Nichols didn't break character either, but just played off the response that was given.
Third and final example is the movie MASH: The director wouldn't tell his cast when the cameras where rolling and also wouldn't tell them who the camera was focussing on, to get a better, more natural response out of his actors.
So, there you have it. We can see lots of improv in many movies. Often times we don't even know that it was improv, because "doing improv" is part of an actor's job.
@@bossaliniex Liotta did know, but others not so much.
What about the guy who interrupted and said “You got it all wrong”... was he improvising too? Only Liotta & Pesci knew about this.
As scary as Joe Pesci's character was on film, he is still a choir boy compared to the real Tommy DeSimone from which he was based from. The real Tommy would have just outright shot Henry and killed the poor waiter. The real Henry said he was scared most of the time when he was with Tommy because he was just such a homicidal maniac. Killing someone is just an itch he has to scratch.
Indeed. Henry hill did say that Joe was about 95% accurate in portraying him aside from the height difference where joe is 5'4 and the real tommy was like 6'5.
If only Thomas would have shot mental hospital doctors and boys like the boy from "Basic Instinct" (in one of the character's book) who kills his parents for no reason. Wait I'm pretty sure he did. Fuck "Basic Instinct"
Except that Henry Hill made up a lot of bullshit. For instance, there's no evidence backing up the story of Tommy's killing Spider (the kid waiter), and he's changed key details multiple times. That's not the only killing discussed in Nick Pileggi's book that seems like it was fabricated.
One should take a career criminal's stories about his own life with a great deal of skepticism. They're not exactly the most honest or psychologically stable people, and they love mythologizing themselves.
@fooloof is that Danny Devito or Billy Joels former drummer liberty Devito?
@@yohei72 exactly because they had to sell alot of books and movies
The laugh in the background after Pesci says " you dont mean to be outta order?" at 2:58 gets me every time 😂
What I find fascinating is that Joe Pesci is by no means someone who'd normally be considered intimidating, he is short, out of shape, and has a high-pitched voice, yet he was able to portray such a frightening character so perfectly. Not for an instant was I not convinced that he wouldn't be able to brutally beat somebody to a pulp. Amazing!
Makes me think of Begbie in trainspotting as well. Small guy, slightly built but an absolute manic who'll have you as soon as look at you.
Don’t forget Rorschach
Don Logan in Sexy Beast, played by Sir Ben Kingsley. A short unassuming guy but a coiled-up ball of violence and rage that could be set off by the slightest thing.
EXAAAACTLY PERFECT 🥰
@@nickshale6926 As was told to me when it came out: you'll never look at Gandhi the same way again
One of the most recognizable scenes in film history and it was improvised by Pesci. He's goddamn great at what he does
Absolutely, great at acting like a gangster.
improvised how? what are you saying, that i lie, that i make things up? improvised how!!
Not really: they rehearsed it.
@@theexpresidents Like it was improvised and they liked the idea? So they rehearsed it until they got the best take?
@@AlchemistOfNirnroot The scene was rehearsed several times, said rehearsals were transcribed, and then a final version was written out based on the rehearsals. So it was scripted by definition
“Last week he asked me to christen his kid” is such an underrated line in this movie filled with iconic lines lol
yeah, for one thousand dollars! lol he really is a funny guy.
@@stevenwilliams2617 *seven thousand
@@JuanHernandez-mw9zt oh so now you say i owes you seven thousand. so you calling me a deadbeat in front of my friends, you insulted me a little bit
@@stevenwilliams2617 wait hold on cmon now Steven don't be like that
@@stevenwilliams2617 nah nah he didn't insult nobody
This scene is the one that won him the Oscar. It's absolute perfection and he deserved it.
This scene immediately came to my mind when I heard that Ray Liotta passed away today. The chemistry between him, Pesci and De niro is unmatched to this day. A cinema icon, gone too soon. Rest in peace, legend.
His laughs are gold.
Wouldn't have thought Ray would've passed first out of the 3.
Shouldn't you be in jail?
men used to be men, now men follow what females tell them to do. they have no balls.
@@tommyblack264 get the f outta here with that dumb bs
Liotta's best acting during this scene was when he didnt say a single word. At the 3:02 mark the way he changed from laughing to completey serious when the owner told Pesci that hes got an outstanding bill of $7,000. He knew publicly humiliating Tommy like this was going to come with serious consequences. Which it did.
You are so right. I rewatched it and realized that Pesci could have shot the restaurant owner on the spot, (Liotta even said later on in the movie that guys sometimes got killed over nothing) which is maybe why Liotta , and the guy sitting next to him were so uncomfortable. If you notice, when Pesci "only" smashed a bottle on the restaurant's owner's forehead, they all laugh because they know it "won't be that big a deal". Jeez, that scene is a masterpiece.......
Did he know though?? Actually, nevermind… I know things could get me in trouble but don’t realize it until it is too late 😂😂
@@TheRav3nwell, irl, Henry Hill said he witnessed tommy kill people literally over nothing. And since he was in Jimmy's semi independent crew, who were not heavily controlled by a major crime family, that meant they could kill anybody they wanted. Which is why they killed that wise guy, and also why tommy can pretty much get away with killing anybody, just because he could. And because he's psychotic.
Him laughing and cracking a joke after was him saving the dude too. He knew Tommy was loving the attention so it stopped him from getting extra violent
I like how at the end they are only laughing hysterically because they are scared shitless.
He said
”Funny How?!”😂
I just loved how everybody dressed in this classic movie as well and the cars etc!!!!!
I loved how they laughed tho they looked like they had fun filming this classic movie❤
I have this classic movie and many other movies in my collection lined up my wall😂😂😂😂 🎥 all in the original cases on discs bought straight from the store!!!!!
This has to be the best movie improv I've ever seen. Love this movie to death.
@Toxic Food I don't think so.
@Donald Trump what are you supposed to be the ultimate badass?
Donald Trump No country for old men
The funny (!) thing is, this wasn't entirely improv. Joe Pesci used to be a waiter in Queens, NYC. He heard a regular customer telling a story to his friends and was laughing with them. Told him he was a funny guy etc., the diner turned out to be a made man and it played it exactly like it did in the film. When they were filming this years later he ad libbed it, but had to track down the same gangster and ask him for permission to include the scene in the film. Ray Liotta confirmed it in an interview, both actors grew up around organised crime and he'd heard the story independently.
This scene only bits and pieces were ad-libbed. The scene where they're eating at Tommy's Mother's was 100% Ad-libbed.
Pesci is a student of comedy...hence why he's good at improv, in this scene especially. Only a good comedian can light up a screen and get reactions like this. Comedy is all about beats and he hits them all like a jazz drummer.
Michael J. Carrasquillo
yeah man, like, hence, totally
Michael J. Carrasquillo sure is a funny guy.
Yeah the timing of the jokes was perfect
You must have never watched Dani Carey play!
Love EVERYONE
Who is this comedy and how much does he charge for a session?
“You may fold under questioning!”
“HAHAHAH 👀”
That's pretty funny.
@@tekoppentekoppen761 funny how?
@@babikera352 he didn't mean nothing
You picked up the foreshadow. This movie is one if the greats.
If only he knew...................
Everybody's face expresion around Pesci in this scene is a key factor. I mean...everybody around him. Like when Frankie Carbone looks at Nickey Eyes. Even the guy standing there (Sonny) made two little steps behind in some point when things got serious. Even Paul Sorbino at the back when the camera is on Liotta.
First time I noticed how the whole dining room gets quiet very subtlety, just as the people at the table slowly start to realize how serious it's getting.
same
and it's the first time i noticed that the other people in the restaurant eventually started laughing too after being concerned or frightened at first. Joe Pesci really is a funny guy 🤣
Who's here after hearing of Ray Liottas passing? RIP Ray...This scene never gets old. Both Hilarious but Terrifying.
🙋🏻♂️
So sad!!! That’s why I’m here 😔
we all are
I admit it .
This scene is so long yet so short. Truely a masterpiece.
It never stops being awkward and scary to watch. Incredible acting
You can say him a funny guy, but do not tell him to bring his shinebox
I love how the restaurant's owner is standing there from the beginning, scared to interrupt their conversation 😅
😂😂 stood there for a good 2 minutes, even if I was owed 7 grand and was daft enough to confront an unpredictable, hot headed Italian gangster in front of a table full of his friends I think I'd feel way too awkward just stood there so long 😂😂
And then tommy hits him in the forehead with the champagne bottle.
Hahahaha
Didn't notice that, how many times I have to watch this scene.
@@davidstephenson164 7 grands at that time was a quite huge amount of money you wouldn't want to lose that easily...
Joe Pesci is one of the greatest actors of all time... he’s just so charismatic.
Charismatic? Charismatic how? How is he charismatic???
@@zeko7150 you know...the-the way he acts in the movie
@@lalalalalalalala8558 i don't know u said how charismatic
I’m about to move to a new apartment and I’m getting a poster of him for a decoration, and normally I don’t decorate, he’s that iconic.
Just whatda fuck is so charismatic about him?
“I worry about you sometimes Henry, you may fold under questioning “ is so ironic seeing how he did fold under questioning later on in the movie.
Goodbye Ray...the greatest smile. He could be a good guy or villain. So versatile. And that smile could be menacing. Gone too young.
Tommy: How am I funny?
Henry: Tommy, it's not merely about jesting or the raw mechanics of humor. It's the allure of your persona, the dynamism that punctuates your narratives. You, my friend, are a raconteur. You weave the tapestry of a tale, meticulously spinning out each thread with precision, replete with vivid imagery and compelling dialogues.
Your humor is in the pauses, in the idiosyncrasies, in the suspense and the unexpected turns. It's in the very essence of your being that we find the wit and the jest, and it's the unpredictability, the spontaneous eruption of wit that ensnares us all, grips the room in anticipation.
You possess the uncanny ability to transform a mundane anecdote into a gripping spectacle, and it's the swagger with which you execute this performance that commands our undivided attention, that invokes laughter. It's raw, unadulterated, and quintessentially Tommy. That's why you're funny.
LOL
You are a true wordsmith!
@@Fireship1 all done by chatgpt!
@@Miguel_Molinawhat question did you ask for it to write all this lmao
F'n ai is in uncanny valley territory man. This is a pretty legit, if somewhat vague, description of how Tommy is funny and I'd buy it. Throw in some specific examples and anecdotes and there would be now way you could tell that wasn't human imo
A great detail about this scene is how much consideration is taken in the production of this movie with the way the background characters react to the main characters- just like how people would in the real world. This is truly one of the greatest movies of all time
The actors were perfect
Woah, Anthony. He’s a big boy. He knows what he said.
Shall we call it "G(M)OAT"? 🤣🥰
RIP Ray Liotta. One of the greatest scenes in movie history.
Ray Liotta’s hard laugh at the very end and him saying, “YOU REALLY ARE A FUNNY GUY!” has me rolling every time! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Rolling how? Like in the floor?
@@doneme152 woah woah, you got it all wrong
@@dantheman1398 oh hey Anthony, he’s a big boy he knows what he said
@@doneme152 just...the way you roll
@@dantheman1398 let me get this straight, am I here to make you roll? Like a stone? Do I look like a fucking british rockband to you?
I’ve seen this scene probably 274 times! Never gets old.
Honestly if this scene was about 2 hours of them talking about something else, I'd pay my money to watch it for real
Old how?
Never!👏
24/7 times
@@patrickw9706 Old like I perished? Am I here to be your ancestor? Old how?
Nobody gives Ray Liotta enough props for this scene. That amount of silent tension at 2:05 (which is all on Liotta to provide) is just the perfect amount. A second longer, it becomes obvious, a second too soon, it becomes rushed and obvious. The entire scene hinges on that tension, and the perfect timing of his character "catching on" to the gag, sells the entire scene.
He didn't get enough credit for the role in general. He was a massive part of this movie and why it was so good. He should have won imo. He was brilliant. And you're spot on, in this scene. He nailed it. And that laugh alone is Oscar worthy haha
That's because he (Ray) was kinda caught off guard and didn't know what to do because Joe totally improvised that scene.
@@oscarmarshall5785 oh that’s cool new info. Well Ray handled it just as beautifully then! Thanks for the new story.
do you have better things to do than post nonsense. why dont you molest girls like biden does.
Exactly right about the timing. Every time I watch it I’m always surprised by how uncomfortably long it is and I can never quite sense when he’s gonna come in
That’s why he won the Oscar. I mean the tension, the silence, the glass! Unbelievable
I like the way he kinda loses his breath, he's so "pissed".
One of the best aspects of this whole scene is the fact that Tommy got as violent as he did, pulled his gun out, smashed a liquor bottle over Sonnie’s head, threw something at a random, innocent bystander, and yet goes back to joking around with all his mob friends, as though nothing even happened.
But what’s even crazier than that is how at the end of the scene not only did no one walk out (like normal people probably would), the whole restaurant started laughing at Tommy’s jokes.
Brilliant beyond brilliant.
Yeah they dont want get shot by the quick tempered maniac.
Stockholm syndrom.
Now days the whole background crowd would have their phones out recording the whole thing.
@@bobert8618I'm guessing you would have charged him and taken him out of the bar by yourself big boy?
@@bigmouthprick5852what got you riled up? He said nothing of the sort
3:21 that pause is the funniest scene in the entire movie, by far.
RIP Ray Liotta. An amazing actor that deserved way more recognition than he got. The only person who could play Tommy Vercetti in GTA and Billy Handsome in Mob of The Dead.
U know it kinda bums me out not a lot of people knew tommy vercetti was Ray Liotta. Definitely one of the underdogs that made some kids childhood better
As an Italian I didn't have the chance to see all his movies dubbed on my own language but no point that he was an amazing actor,.
One of the best of his generation. He always gave amazing performances. As you wrote he deserved a lot more from the business.
Amazing actor and humble, honest, decent human being. God bless him for the wonderful work.
What makes this scene so great is that every table is laughing!! That's what makes this movie so great!! You don't see people like looking away or frowning or upset!! Everyone is laughing!!
That shows how well-constructed is this scene in particular. Tommy was a bad-ass character ever how everyone is scared of him how he can turn from saint to a violent murderer. Even Jimmy was terrified.
Also some subtle foreshadowing when he says, "You may fold under questioning".
I don't know about Jimmy. Jimmy wasn't ruthless too. He looked at Tommy like a little brother.
Jimmy wasnt scared of him..Jimmy acted like he was going to throttle him for killing spider plus Jimmy was his boss
Nothing in this film shows Jimmy to be scared of Tommy. In fact, Jimmy is far scarier than Tommy. Tommy is simple. You don't piss him off and you're probably fine.
Jimmy on the other hand was paranoid and calculating. More people in this film end up dead because of Jimmy.
Tommy a bad-ass? How? Because he has no qualms about being a dead-beat who won't pay his bill, shames others who do, threatens and kills people?
Well that bad-ass got his reward right? By his own buddies he entertained.
RIP Ray. One of the greatest scenes in movie history. Ray's timing and laugh are just perfect.
Exactly, perfect
Mimed
@@DanFernandesBenficaSaint Dumb
And now probably the most popular gif of all time
Lol its like the whole restaurant was gonna get whacked that's why they were all so silent... 😂
Ummm do you always lick your lips like that maam?
@Leeroy Smith calm down virgin
Oh shit 🤣
@@drygordspellweaver8761 cuz it sexy lol
Before cell phones, everyone in the restaurant just having a good time living in the moment 😂
Enjoying their drinks and smoking while it wasn't outlawed yet in restaurants.