Gangster Essay
How useful have your wider contextual studies been in understanding similarities and differences in the American films you have studied for this topic? (40)
Having extended knowledge on the context of the two films we have studied; Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese; 1990; USA) and American Gangster (Ridley Scott; 2007; USA), is useful in many aspects, because it allows me to understand completely the accuracy of the representation of many social groups, that are depicted in both of the films.
For example, both films make reference to the gangster being an immigrant, one especially who dislikes his low status in life, and believes he is destined for more. In Goodfellas, Henry is half Sicilian and half Irish. Goodfellas is set in the 1970’s, and I understand that in New York especially in the 1970’s, Irish immigration was at a high. This may be due to the social, religious and cultural changes in Ireland at the time. Another film that depicts Irish immigration is Kill the Irishman (Jonathan Hensleigh; 2011; Mexico). Irish immigrants were frowned upon in New York, and this may be indicative of Henry’s drive for success, whatever the means of gaining wealth.
Also In American Gangster the Gangster is portrayed by a African American man, it was post civil rights in America in the 1970’s, which would tell us that black people in America at the time should have equal rights, however American’s had difficulty accepting this, so early after the civil rights movement. Again, Frank Lucas may have disliked his low social status, and therefore had the motivation to work hard, regardless of drug legislature.
Another representation put forward by these films that is accurate of the time period in which these films are set is the representation of men. During the 1970’s societies were widely dominated by men, meaning that living in America in the 1970’s meant living in a patriarchal society. This is represented in Goodfellas, when Henry is held at gunpoint by his wife;
Having extended knowledge on the context of the two films we have studied; Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese; 1990; USA) and American Gangster (Ridley Scott; 2007; USA), is useful in many aspects, because it allows me to understand completely the accuracy of the representation of many social groups, that are depicted in both of the films.
For example, both films make reference to the gangster being an immigrant, one especially who dislikes his low status in life, and believes he is destined for more. In Goodfellas, Henry is half Sicilian and half Irish. Goodfellas is set in the 1970’s, and I understand that in New York especially in the 1970’s, Irish immigration was at a high. This may be due to the social, religious and cultural changes in Ireland at the time. Another film that depicts Irish immigration is Kill the Irishman (Jonathan Hensleigh; 2011; Mexico). Irish immigrants were frowned upon in New York, and this may be indicative of Henry’s drive for success, whatever the means of gaining wealth.
Also In American Gangster the Gangster is portrayed by a African American man, it was post civil rights in America in the 1970’s, which would tell us that black people in America at the time should have equal rights, however American’s had difficulty accepting this, so early after the civil rights movement. Again, Frank Lucas may have disliked his low social status, and therefore had the motivation to work hard, regardless of drug legislature.
Another representation put forward by these films that is accurate of the time period in which these films are set is the representation of men. During the 1970’s societies were widely dominated by men, meaning that living in America in the 1970’s meant living in a patriarchal society. This is represented in Goodfellas, when Henry is held at gunpoint by his wife;