Goodfellas brought a look at mob life through the story of Henry Hill, and one term often used in the film is “made man” – but what does that mean and why can’t everyone be one? Martin Scorsese is one of the most respected filmmakers in the industry and is best known for his gangster films centered on the Italian-American identity and touching on themes like redemption and guilt, and in 1990 he brought what many consider to be his best gangster film: Goodfellas.

Based on the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, Goodfellas tells the rise and fall of mob associate Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), from his days as a teenager fascinated by the criminal life and mafia presence in his Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, to his involvement in the Lufthansa heist and his decision to work as an informant for the FBI. Henry worked for and with some notable names in the mafia, among those Jimmy “the Gent” Burke (changed to Jimmy Conway and played by Robert De Niro), Paul Vario (Paul Cicero, played by Paul Sorvino), and Tommy “Two-Gun” DeSimone (Tommy DeVito, played by Joe Pesci).

Related: Goodfellas: Why Scorsese Changed Main Characters' Real Names

The characters in Goodfellas mention being or becoming a “made man” a couple of times, and that’s a real-life term used in the mob. A “made man” is an initiated member of the mafia, and to become one, the person has to go through a whole process. First off, not everyone can be “made”, as they must be Italian or of Italian descent, as well as being sponsored by another made man. The inductee has to take the mafia code of silence and carry out a contract killing (to prove their loyalty and show they’re not undercovered agents), and it’s all made official through an induction ceremony. After that, the person holds the rank of soldier in the mafia hierarchy. Only those who have been “made” can escalate through the ranks of the mafia: soldier, caporegime, consigliere, underboss, and boss. Another name for “made man” is “wiseguy”, also used in the film and, as seen above, in the title of the source material (though this term can also be used to refer to non-initiated associates who work closely with the mafia).

Goodfellas Jimmy Henry

The reason why neither Henry Hill nor Jimmy Conway could become made men is because they weren’t of full Italian descent, as they were both half-Irish. Tommy DeVito, on the other hand, was fully Italian and was led to believe he was to become a made man, but it turned out to be a set-up and was shot on the way to the ceremony in retribution for the murder of Billy Batts – a made man from the Gambino family. Made men have the protection and backing of the mafia as long as they remain in favor and earn enough money, which is passed up the hierarchy. They are “untouchable” to other families, and if one is attacked or killed for whatever reason without the permission of the mafia family leadership, the attacker is punished by death, which is what happened to Tommy DeVito/Tommy DeSimone.

The requirements to become a made man have changed over the years, and it’s no longer necessary for them to be full Italian, and those of half-Italian descent can now go through the process (too late for Henry and Jimmy, obviously). Goodfellas is a good balance of drama and real-life events and elements, offering viewers an interesting (and safe) look at how mafia families operate, their hierarchies, and what happens when one crosses the line.

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