When Martin Scorsese‘s ‘Goodfellas‘ premiered at the 47th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 1990, it seemed nearly perfect in its casting, direction, style, and influence. Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book ‘Wiseguy,’ the classic mafia tale hooks audiences from its opening frame, immersing them in a world of visceral, intoxicating energy.
Despite Scorsese’s attempt at authenticity and meticulous detail, Robert De Niro still found something that he believed didn’t do justice to the scene. Known for his method acting, the veteran actor put forward a strict demand that caught the crew off guard.
Robert De Niro’s Quest For Mob Authenticity
Upon its release, ‘Goodfellas’ received widespread critical acclaim and grossed $47 million on a $25 million budget. What made the experience unique were its character arcs and their presentation.
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Scorsese masterfully built low moments, drawing gangsters out before contrasting them with highs from which they will fall, creating amazing storytelling. He portrayed his characters authentically and ruggedly, yet in a polished manner.
As for Robert De Niro, he stepped in as James ‘Jimmy’ Conway, based on an actual criminal, James Burke, better known as “Jimmy the Gent.” De Niro’s flawless understanding of the character’s personality made him look charismatic and charming as a gangster, and loyal and loving toward his family.
But as the story unfolds, Conway is revealed as a layered character who can be blunt and harsh once provoked. Meanwhile, De Niro highly respected and appreciated the craft, adding important, specific details to his character. He even spotted a specific prop that didn’t seem authentic.
De Niro Demanded Real Money As Prop
Robert De Niro strove for complete authenticity in his role as James Conway. Reportedly, he disliked the feel of fake money and insisted on using the real one. His demand led to the withdrawal of several thousand dollars from the prop master, Robert Griffon.
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Therefore, every scene in which the gangsters received a large sum of money featured actual cash. Working with such a vast amount of legal tender demanded extreme caution and attentiveness from the crew members. So, nobody left the scene until all the money was returned and accounted for after every take.
Meanwhile, De Niro’s desire for absolute authenticity did not stop at using actual cash. The actor even reached out to those who knew Burke to learn how he distributed ketchup from the bottle. His preparation shows during the famous midnight dinner scene, when James rolls the bottle between his palms, just as Burke did.
In an interview with Scraps from the Loft, Scorsese revealed he associates De Niro’s character with “a breakdown of discipline, of whatever moral code those guys had in the fifties and sixties.” In the end, the cast and crew’s efforts paid off as ‘Goodfellas’ became one of the best gangster movies in recent decades.
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