Tommy DeVito: The Rise and Fall of Goodfellas' Wild Card

 

Tommy DeVito: The Rise and Fall of Goodfellas' Wild Card

Tommy DeVito, brilliantly portrayed by Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, is one of the most memorable characters in mob movie history. His story is both exhilarating and tragic, marking him as a true embodiment of the unpredictable and violent life within the mafia.

The Early Days

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Tommy grew up surrounded by crime and violence. From a young age, he was deeply connected to the Lucchese crime family, working under prominent mobsters like Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). Unlike other characters in Goodfellas, who may have been more strategic or calculating, Tommy was known for his explosive temper and ruthless actions. These traits made him both feared and respected within the mob world.

Tommy’s charm and sense of humor were his key strengths, but they were often overshadowed by his violent nature. He wasn’t just another gangster – he was unpredictable, dangerous, and had a short fuse that led to moments of shocking brutality. For instance, the scene where he kills Spider, a young bartender, for simply talking back to him shows how little regard he had for life when his temper flared.

Tommy's Personality: A Loose Cannon

What made Tommy stand out was his impulsive and volatile behavior. A famous scene in Goodfellas perfectly captures his unstable temperament. While joking with his friends, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) playfully tells Tommy that he's funny. Tommy quickly switches from friendly to menacing, pretending to take offense and turning the situation into a tense moment before laughing it off. This "Funny How?" scene not only highlights his humor but also his dangerous unpredictability.

The Killing of Billy Batts

Tommy’s fate was sealed the moment he killed Billy Batts (Frank Vincent), a made man in the Gambino crime family. Batts had just gotten out of prison and made the mistake of publicly mocking Tommy about his past as a shoe-shine boy. Tommy, unable to tolerate the disrespect, brutally beat Batts with the help of Jimmy Conway and Henry Hill before finishing him off in the trunk of a car.

The murder of a made man was an unforgivable crime in mafia circles. Tommy's recklessness put him on thin ice, and although his superiors in the Lucchese family knew about it, they waited for the right moment to exact revenge. This moment would come at a time when Tommy was least expecting it.

The Promise of Being "Made"

Despite his violent tendencies, Tommy remained a valuable asset to the Lucchese family, and his superiors began discussing the possibility of making him a "made man." This was the ultimate goal for any gangster, as it granted them untouchable status within the mafia. Tommy believed that his years of service and loyalty to the crime family were about to be rewarded with this prestigious honor.

The promise of being made gave Tommy a false sense of security, making him believe that his violent actions, especially the murder of Billy Batts, were forgotten or forgiven. Unfortunately for Tommy, the mob never forgets.

Tommy’s Final Scene: The Betrayal

The scene where Tommy is set to be made is one of the most gut-wrenching in Goodfellas. Believing that he’s about to be inducted into the mafia’s inner circle, Tommy walks into what he thinks is a ceremony. Instead, he walks into an empty room and instantly realizes what’s happening: it's a setup. Before he can react, he is shot in the back of the head.

This betrayal came as retribution for the murder of Billy Batts. The Gambino family had orchestrated Tommy’s death as a way to settle the score, ensuring that justice was served for killing one of their made men. For Tommy, who believed that he was about to achieve the pinnacle of mafia success, his death was a brutal reminder of how ruthless and unforgiving the mob world truly was.

Legacy of Tommy DeVito

Tommy DeVito's character is iconic because he represents both the allure and danger of the gangster lifestyle. His charisma, humor, and loyalty were overshadowed by his violent outbursts and disregard for authority. In the end, it was his inability to control his temper and impulses that led to his downfall.

Joe Pesci's portrayal of Tommy earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the character remains one of the most memorable figures in mafia cinema. Tommy’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of living a life driven by violence, pride, and unchecked rage. While Tommy may have been feared and respected, his end proves that no one in the mafia is truly untouchable.

Conclusion

Tommy DeVito’s journey in Goodfellas from a violent, ambitious gangster to a tragic figure serves as a microcosm of life in the mob. His fate was inevitable, given his reckless behavior and the brutal code of honor in the mafia. As we watch his rise and fall, we’re reminded that the life of crime, no matter how glamorous or powerful it may seem, always comes at a cost.