Matt Damon Says This 97%-Rated Martin Scorsese Drama Is the "Perfect" Movie

For any actor, the opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese is a tremendous honor. Matt Damon, who has only worked with the master once on the 2006 thriller The Departed, is a devoted admirer.

When reflecting on Scorsese's illustrious career as a director, Damon has no doubt which movie represents his absolute pinnacle.

Matt Damon Thinks That 'Goodfellas' Is Martin Scorsese's Best Film

According to Damon, one film surpasses even legendary works such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. During his appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Damon said:

“Every time he does a movie – he does Mean Streets, then he does Taxi Driver and then Raging Bull, and it's like my God, amazing; he just on such a tear in that timeframe.

Then it's like, what could he possibly do, and he does Goodfellas. That movie is perfect. Everybody loves that movie. I think that's his best film.”

What Is 'Goodfellas' About?

Goodfellas tells the story of Henry Hill, a young man from an Italian-American neighborhood who has dreamed of becoming a gangster since childhood. He eventually realizes his dream.

With his accomplices, the hotheaded Tommy DeVito and the charismatic Jimmy Conway, Henry rises through the criminal ranks, plunging into a world of robberies, racketeering, and ruthless violence.

Henry enjoys the power, money, and freedom that come with this life, but it gradually begins to unravel, full of betrayal and paranoia, until he is forced to make an unbearable choice.

'Goodfellas' Won Only One Oscar – and It's a Real Crime

Despite being instantly hailed as a masterpiece that revolutionized its genre, Goodfellas received only modest recognition from the Academy.

At the 1991 ceremony, the movie received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was considered the front-runner. Ultimately, however, the film won only one statuette: Joe Pesci for Best Supporting Actor.

Kevin Costner's epic drama Dances with Wolves won all the major awards that night.

This outcome is still considered one of the most egregious injustices in Oscar history. Goodfellas became not only a cult classic but also a firmly established part of global culture, challenging even The Godfather as one of the greatest gangster dramas of all time.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Goodfellas'?

• Goodfellas has 93% from critics and 97% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Goodfellas scored 4.5/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Goodfellas'?

Goodfellas is available to stream on Paramount+ and Hulu.