My Favourite Joe Pesci Films

Few actors in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Joe Pesci. Since the 1980’s, Pesci has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s hot-headed gangsters, home burglars or raging boxing trainers, Pesci has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of films he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Goodfellas

Gangsters are great figures that have always fascinated by grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that loved gangsters engaging in criminal lifestyles causing damage. He often spoke fondly about gangsters seeking to become somebodies in neighbourhoods full of nobodies. Through his lifelong love for gangster movies, my grandpa inspired me to pursue my passion of Cinema. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured gangsters as powerfully as “Goodfellas”. Ever since its release in 1990, Joe Pesci’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. In the greatest role of his career, Pesci embodies a hot-headed gangster that engages in a dark criminal lifestyle which becomes a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most memorable role. Pesci has always been one of those actors with an aptitude for playing hot-headed gangsters, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a performer. For instance, the iconic scene in which Tommy gets very angry with Henry throwing a temper tantrum when he’s called funny evoking fear is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” Joe Pesci’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It manages to turn despicable gangsters into sympathetic people that audiences can easily relate to. 30 years following the release of an iconic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a bold reminder of a great actor that has built a long-lasting legacy whose commemorated movies are worth celebrating.

2. Raging Bull

Rage has impacted my personality. At an early age, I developed habits of temper tantrums throwing a fit of rage. I remember that my parents often complained about how I had a short temper. I would often beat up peers in my school that I mistreated in ways which were cruel. As someone impacted by the consequences of rage that are stressful, I adored “Raging Bull”. Released in 1980, Joe Pesci’s movie honoured the legacy of a real-life boxer with rage. In the most emotional role of his career, Pesci embodied a trainer assisting his brother become a boxer that’s successful. Pesci has a flair for conveying emotions using his body language, and “Raging Bull” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Joey has a tense argument with his brother Jake when he’s asked to punch him in the face causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Raging Bull” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the dangers of rage which would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of a real-life boxer with rage, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that produced commemorated movies giving a phenomenal message which never lost their abilities to engage.

3. Casino

Casinos are compelling settings that my cousin has always found interesting. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a cousin that had a lifelong love for the casino. He would often speak fondly about Las Vegas casinos that he would dream of visiting with certainty. Fascinated with the way in which casinos were run, he always regarded them with affection. As someone treasuring a cousin that loved casinos years ago, I adored “Casino”. Released in 1995, Joe Pesci’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about casinos. In the most psychotic role of his career, Pesci embodies a gangster facing illegal casino activities causing despair. Pesci excels at playing angry gangsters that face sorrow, and his strengths are evident in “Casino”. For instance, the scene in which Nicky and Ace meet in the desert to settle issues about the casino causing despair is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Casino” one of Joe Pesci’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about power which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Ace Rothstein’s desire to run a thriving casino, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies give audiences dreams to follow.

4. The Irishman

Aging is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my grandmother face severe consequences of aging. She had the habit to forget places, events and people. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved face consequences of aging. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of aging causing destruction as powerfully as “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Joe Pesci’s movie offered an engaging depiction of gangsters facing consequences of aging. In the most mature role of his career, Pesci embodies an aging mob boss engaging in crime that becomes a burden to bear. Pesci has spent most of his career playing hot-headed gangsters. With “The Irishman”, however, the actor showcased rare subtlety as an aging mobster. For instance, the scene in which Russell tells Frank it is what it is warning him that he has to murder Jimmy Hoffa showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Irishman” a mobster masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about aging which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as murders that Frank Sheeran has committed, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated actor whose commemorated movies deserve to be appreciated.

5. Home Alone

House burglaries are terrifying events that have always scared my mother. Ever since I was a young child, my mother has always been afraid of home invasions. A paranoid woman without a doubt, she would often lock the doors of our house whenever she stepped out. She would be afraid to leave me home alone as a child fearing burglaries would occur. As someone treasuring a mother that never left me home alone, I adored “Home Alone”. Released in 1990, Joe Pesci’s movie captured children left home alone facing burglaries. In the most comical role of his career, Pesci embodies a criminal committing burglaries causing despair. Pesci has spent most of his career playing hot-headed gangsters in serious crime dramas. With “Home Alone”, however, the actor showcased his aptitude for comedy. For instance, the scene in which Harry slips on the frozen footsteps of a home is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Home Alone” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about home invasions that would resonate with everyone. As strong as Kevin’s desire to be left at home alone, it’s a riveting reminder of a well-known actor whose commemorated movies have stood in a league of their own.

6. Once Upon a Time in America

Joe Pesci has always thrived at making movies in the gangster genre. Pesci has built a reputation for playing cold-blooded gangsters that cause destruction. Pesci’s strength for playing gangsters facing trauma in the crime genre is clearly evident in his movie “Once Upon a Time in America”. Released in 1984, Joe Pesci’s movie offered an engaging depiction of Italian gangsters whose lives soar. In the most authoritative role of his career, Pesci embodies a gangster facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing gangsters. Working alongside Robert De Niro who is also excellent, Pesci honours gangsters in America years ago. A powerful portrait of gangsters once upon a time in America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

7. My Cousin Vinny

Joe Pesci has always been one of those actors that has excelled at playing angry characters. Pesci has built a commemorated image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters with rage. Pesci’s strength for playing angry characters with a short temper is clearly evident in his movie “My Cousin Vinny”. Released in 1992, Pesci’s movie embodies a hot-headed lawyer seeking to defend his vulnerable cousin in a courtroom trial causing despair. It’s a role that gave Pesci an opportunity to showcase his flair for playing short-tempered characters that are angry. Working alongside Marisa Tomei who is also amazing, Pesci created a commemorated courtroom drama that’s compelling. As strong as Vinny’s desire to win his courtroom case, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies which audiences embrace.

8. JFK

Few presidents in American history are as beloved today as JFK. During the 1960’s, John F. Kennedy was a powerful politician that guided his country amidst adversities. However, in 1963 the president’s career ended when he was assassinated tragically. In 1991, Joe Pesci honoured the memory of the president that tragically passed away in his film “JFK”. In the most political role of his career, Pesci embodies a political investigating the murder of a president causing despair. Pesci has spent most of his career playing volatile gangsters. With “JFK”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone playing a political figure. Nearly 40 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a crime politicians investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that thrived playing conflicted characters whose movies deserve to be celebrated.

9. The Good Shepherd

One of the most common criticisms often levelled against Joe Pesci is that he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Pesci has often been typecast as cold-blooded gangsters throughout his career. This has often left little room for surprises in the actor’s work. However, in 2006 the actor ventured out of his comfort zone to play a sweet-natured agent in “The Good Shepherd”. In the most subtle role of his career, Pesci embodied an aging officer facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown in his career before. Pesci proved he could thrive playing a quiet character far removed from his typical gangsters. A captivating portrait of the CIA, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that thrives when he’s given chances to portray conflicted characters whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.

10. With Honours

Joe Pesci hasn’t always made great movies that have built a strong legacy. While most movies the actor has made have been widely appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “With Honours” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 1994, Alex Keshishian’s movie was a commercial disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Pesci embodies a homeless man pursuing education. Pesci brought humour to the role proving to be the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although it’s far from a perfect movie, “With Honours” is a great reminder of Pesci’s legacy. As strong as Simon’s desire to gain an education, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a legendary reputation whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my to pursue my film criticism passion.