Goodfellas Organized Crime Essay

Organized crime is groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Organized crime groups are motivated by money rather than ideology, a characteristic that distinguishes them from organized terrorism. The movie Goodfellas by Martin Scorsese is an example of what organized crime is. Similar to many other mafia movies Goodfellas exaggerates truths and adds finesse to improve the movie.
The film starts with the main character, Henry Hill, stating that As far back as he could remember, he always wanted to be a gangster. As a boy, Henry quit school and went to work for mafia in his neighborhood. The local mob boss, Paul Cicero helps to cultivate
The robbery helps Henry gain more of Paulie's trust. However, because Henry is half-Irish, he knows he can never become a "made man", a full member of the crime family. Nor can their partner Jimmy, who is also half Irish. A “made man” had to be fully Italian so that they can trace your ancestors back to Italy, which was also true in the real history of the mafia.
Henry's friends become increasingly daring and dangerous. Jimmy loves hijacking trucks, and Tommy has an explosive temper and a psychotic need to prove himself through violence. Tommy gets himself in a difficult situation when he beats and kills a “made man” that was just released from jail. In the rules of the mafia a “made man” can never be touched by anyone, even though he was humiliating Tommy. Later in the movie Tommy gets what he deserves for that kill.
Henry also meets and falls in love with Karen, a no-nonsense young Jewish woman; they go to the Copacabana club two to three times a week. At first Karen has no idea why Henry has so many connections and a ton of money. Once she learns Henry’s real job, Karen feels uneasy with Henry being part of the mob, but is also "turned on" by it and she stays with Henry. Henry and Karen eventually marry and have