This Goodfellas theory gives a whole new meaning to one of its funniest scenes

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This Goodfellas theory gives a whole new meaning to one of its funniest scenes

One of Good companionsThe lighter and funnier scenes contrast greatly with what Henry (Ray Liotta), Tommy (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy (Robert De Niro) are going through at that moment, but one detail gives it a whole new meaning. Although Martin Scorsese made several gangster films, all of which were critically praised, Good companions is the one widely considered to be the best in this genre. Based on the 1985 nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi Smart guy, Good companions chronicles the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill, from his teenage years running errands for Paul Cícero (Paul Sorvino) and his crew, to becoming part of it.

While working for Paul’s family, Henry met many big names in the mob and became close to some of them, such as Tommy DeVito and Jimmy “The Gent” Conway. Together, Henry, Tommy and Jimmy committed several crimes, including the infamous Lufthansa robbery. Henry and Jimmy even helped Tommy dispose of Billy Batts’ body after Tommy brutally attacked him in rage and then killed him. It is while they are on their way to dispose of the body that Good companions has its funniest scene, which, thanks to a theory, takes on a completely new meaning.

The Goodfellas Theory Suggests a Parallel to the Last Supper in One Scene

A detail in Tommy’s mother’s house makes a difference


Goodfellas Tommy and his mother having dinner

Billy Batts was a man in the Gambino crime family who had just been released from prison. Batts was celebrating at Henry’s bar when Tommy arrived. Batts started talking about what Tommy did when he was a kid, making fun of him for shining shoes. Tommy waited until Batts was alone to attack him and brutally beat him, with Jimmy’s help. Tommy, Jimmy, and Henry wrapped Billy’s body in a tablecloth, placed it in the trunk of Henry’s car, and drove to upstate New York to bury the body, as the unsanctioned murder of a made man invited retribution.

However, they needed a shovel, so they stopped at Tommy’s mother’s house to get one. Tommy’s mother heard them come in, convinced them to stay, and prepared a full meal for them. During dinner, Tommy’s mother asked him what he had done and shared some funny memories before showing them the painting she had just done of two dogs and a fisherman in a boat. The casual exchange while Batts’ body was in the car makes this scene one of the Good companions‘funniest moments, but one Reddit the theory suggests a parallel with the Last Supper.

The author of the theory points to a framed painting of the Last Supper between Tommy and his mother, which made them realize that meal was the last dinner Tommy, Jimmy and Henry had together before “the damnation of their souls.” Batts’ murder is a turning point in Jimmy, Tommy and Henry’s stories in different ways: Jimmy and Henry went to prison after this and the latter started selling drugs, while Batt’s murder is the reason why Tommy was dead.

Goodfellas’ dinner scene with Tommy’s mom foreshadowed Henry’s betrayal

Henry ended up ratting out his friends


Goodfellas Henry having dinner at Tommy's mom's house

As mentioned above, Henry became involved in drug trafficking when he, Jimmy and Paulie were arrested and he needed to support his family somehow. Paulie’s rule was that his team never got involved in drugs, and when Henry wouldn’t stop and it escalated quickly, Paulie kicked him out. Knowing that he and his family were no longer safe, Henry did the only thing he could to survive and protect his family: enroll in the witness protection program and provide the FBI with information about the mob, particularly Paulie’s crew.

Henry sat on the left, just like Judas in the Last Supper painting.

Henry’s testimonies led to Paulie and Jimmy being sent to prison, and Henry’s betrayal may have been teased in the dinner scene with Tommy’s mother. Other Reddit the user suggested that Henry’s place at the table also has meaning and that he was sitting on the left, just like Judas in the Last Supper painting. Just like Judas, Henry betrayed his friends at the tableand this scene at Tommy’s mother’s house also showed how Henry never really fit in with the others.

Who reported Tommy DeVito (it was Henry)?

Tommy’s death is shrouded in mystery

Henry betrayed his friends and reported them, Jimmy ended up in prison, and Tommy was murdered – however, it is unknown who reported Tommy and ordered his death. Henry explained in a voiceover that Tommy’s murder was in retaliation for the death of Billy Battsbut it was never revealed who was behind the coup. Since the one who pulled the trigger was Paulie’s brother, along with the information of the real Tommy’s murder, it is generally understood that Paulie himself ordered Tommy’s murder.

The real Paul had an affair with Karen Hill while Henry was in prison, and she told him that Tommy had tried to sexually abuse her. Paul then told the Gambino family that Tommy killed Batts, leading to his death. Other theories suggest that it was John Gotti who ordered Tommy’s murder (and possibly even pulled the trigger), while some believe that Henry reported Tommy. What is certain is that Henry Hill betrayed his team, and the dinner scene may have foreshadowed his, Tommy, and Jimmy’s chaotic fates.

Source: Reddit.

Goodfellas is a 1990 crime film starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and describes the life and times of mobster Henry Hill. It is based on the book Wiseguy, written by Nicholas Pileggi.

Release date

September 21, 1990

Execution time

145 minutes

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