What is the meaning of the ending of Goodfellas? [duplicate]

At the the end of Goodfellas Henry looks into the camera and "gets shot" by Joe Pesci.

Why does he look to into the camera and "gets shot" by Joe Pesci?

I understand how meaningful the name of the song is but I don't understand the rest. I have heard it's related to The Great Train Robbery. Is this true?

Best Answer

There are two meanings.
One, set in the story: Henry says "Got to live the rest of my life like a schnuck". And smiles. Then "we" get to see the reason why he smiles. He get to live because he is in witness protection. Something for what Tommy would have killed him.
Second one is cinematic homage: scene like this appear in The Great Train Robbery (1903). A scene that have no actual correlation to whole movie apart from realism (as stated by production company). This serve as a counterweight to Henry/Ray breaking the fourth wall by looking directly at camera. Which is then followed by "facts" about future life of Henry. So it give audience a feel that the movie they just have seen is based on real life events.

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What does the end of Goodfellas mean?

Henry at the end of the film is saying how he is going to miss being a gangster, yet it is what has caused all of his problems. Him breaking the fourth wall shows his further detachment from reality and how removed from his situation he actually is.

Why did Tommy shoot at the end of Goodfellas?

The reasoning for the gunshots in the final scene of Goodfellas was given by director Martin Scorsese in an on-camera interview for the American Film Institute (AFI). He said that he was paying homage to The Great Train Robbery, an 11-minute silent movie from 1903.

What happens to Henry at the end of Goodfellas?

At the end, Henry leaves the audience outside his new life and home. He was a gangster, now he is a schnook. The ride's over and Henry is out of the life he loved.

Why does Henry Hill break the fourth wall?

Henry breaking the fourth wall during his speech at the end of Goodfellas is interpreted as the breaking of the illusion that was his life in the mob, as he was now entering the \u201creal\u201d world.

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Images: Pixabay, Pixabay, Ravi Kant, RODNAE Productions