In 1990, Martin Scorsese directed and co-wrote “Goodfellas,” starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and the late Ray Liotta. It tells the real life story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, with his partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. It’s violent, coke-fueled, and fantastic.
But some are up in arms over a content warning AMC Network placed in front of the film.
“This film includes language and/or cultural stereotypes that are inconsistent with today’s standards of inclusion and tolerance and may offend some viewers,” AMC’s warning reads. While this text may seem odd to rage about, it gets weirder. Because AMC added it four years ago.
“In 2020, we began adding advisories in front of certain films that include racial or cultural references that some viewers might find offensive,” an AMC representative said.
Why Now?
While the internet has a reputation for quick and sometimes misguided reactions, sometimes it just lags out on an issue. This wave of controversy seems to have started on May 10th when Ken Lovett, a former reporter for the New York Post, shared a picture of the warning on X (formally Twitter).
His post added to the growing wave of backlash against things like content warnings. Even Dame Judi Dench got in on the outrage in a recent interview. “I can see why they exist, and it is preparing people, I suppose, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater, because you could be very shocked,” Dench said. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way? Why go to the theatre if you’re going to be warned about things that are in the play?”
Censorship?
The issue is, no content has been cut, and nothing has been altered or censored. The film’s foul language, misogyny, and problematic depictions of Italian-American and Irish-American mobsters all remain intact. The only change is a few-second warning giving viewers who may not be familiar with “Goodfellas” a heads-up that they may find it offensive.
All these warnings do is provide the viewer with information so they can make their own informed decision. Content warnings put the responsibility to walk away onto the viewer, allowing media to remain UNcensored. The fact that this ran for four years with little to no reaction makes this current controversy reek of people looking for something to be offended by. Ironically, from a group that claims that the “woke mob” is always looking for something to be offended by.
You can pick up the recent 4K of “Goodfellas” here.
