Goodfellas - Tommy DeVito

There is no doubt that Goodfellas has an extravagant cast, with some very well known and highly accredited actors. However, whilst watching the film, Joe Pesci’s portrayal of the loose cannon, Tommy DeVito, stood out the most. Pesci’s performance is riveting. He dominates every scene he is involved in because Tommy is such an unpredictable character. At one moment he is cracking jokes and then all of a sudden he becomes a violent child throwing a tantrum. Pesci controls the screen and it is impossible to remove one’s eyes from his vibrant performance. The “How am I funny?" sequence in which he frightens Henry Hill and the rest of table to such a degree that they begin to fear for Henry Hill’s life is probably the most memorable scene of the film. Only after minutes of contemplation does Hill realize that he is joking. The fact is that the audience is left stunned as well. They don’t know whether or not he is joking either. Immediately after this sequence, Tommy feels insulted about being asked to pay his tab. He smashes a bottle over the owner’s head and forces him to flee. The rest of the dining patrons laugh at his actions; out of fear of what he may do to them more then out of excitement and amusement. Pesci’s Tommy has a hair triggered temper and it is set off without hesitation. However, he is deeply indebted to his group of friends or “family” members and is truly devoted to his mother who at one point during the film is awoken by Tommy, Henry and Jimmy and goes about preparing a dinner for them after they have just murdered someone (unaware to her). She is the only person that Tommy actually shows any respect for. He is not a one-note character because Pesci refuses to portray him as one. Yes, Tommy is an uncontrollable psychopath but Pesci also provides multiple layers to the character. There is love and loyalty stirring beneath the surface but it is unable to exist as a result of his obsession with power and status. Still, for all that Pesci makes him out to be, Tommy DeVito is still one of the most violent, twisted characters ever imagined. And yet, he is certainly unforgettable.