Scorsese’s Hidden Nod to His Best Film in “The Irishman” on Netflix – Did You Catch It?

Released in 1990, “Goodfellas” is arguably Martin Scorsese’s most beloved film among the general public. Over three decades later, it has secured its status as one of the greatest classics in global cinema. Featuring performances by Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, the film, based on true events, chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill within the criminal underworld.

Born to an Irish father and a Sicilian mother, the young man aspires to become a gangster and join the Mafia. As a teenager in the 1950s, he starts off by working for Paul Cicero and develops a deep admiration for Jimmy Conway, who specializes in hijacking trucks.

Clear-headed and ambitious, he plays a key role in the heist at Idlewild Airport’s warehouses and marries Karen, a young Jewish woman whom he frequently cheats on. However, his involvement in drug trafficking ultimately leads to his downfall.

“Goodfellas” left a lasting impression not only because of its gripping narrative sprinkled with humor but also due to its incredible cast and Scorsese’s dynamic directing style. He loves to sweep us away with his eloquent camera movements.

One scene in particular captured the audience’s attention and amazed everyone at the time: the sequence where Henry and his fiancée Karen enter the Copacabana club, filmed in one continuous shot. However, a specific detail at the beginning of this sequence is what we’ll focus on. The pair arrives on the New York street where the club is located, at 10 East 60th Street.

A Symbolic Shot

Scorsese starts the sequence outside the Copacabana, giving us a clear view of the building’s entrance. This shot occurs precisely at 31 minutes and 36 seconds into the film. But what makes it so special?

To find out, we need to leap forward 29 years in time. It’s 2019, and Martin Scorsese is presenting his new epic, centered around the figure of Jimmy Hoffa: “The Irishman.”

If you pause at 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 43 seconds into the movie, you’ll see the same shot as in “Goodfellas,” in front of the Copacabana club. The scene features the character Crazy Joe Gallo (Sebastian Maniscalco) entering the building, which has the same façade as in “Goodfellas.”

A Nostalgic Nod?

Scorsese cleverly recreated the same shot from his 1990 masterpiece, possibly as a nod to his own work. Initially, this may seem like a tribute to the film that established him as a master of the genre.

However, given that “The Irishman” is a more somber, reflective work, it likely represents Scorsese coming full circle, closing a chapter on his gangster films. This subtle reference is a clever way to do just that.

It’s worth noting that the Copacabana is a real club located in New York since 1940. A hotspot for the city’s vibrant nightlife, it has hosted the debut performances of numerous artists, including comedians like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.

Besides “Goodfellas” and “The Irishman,” the club has appeared in several other films such as “Tootsie,” “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The French Connection,” “Green Book,” “Beyond the Sea,” and “One Night in Miami.” If you’re interested in visiting, it’s now located at 625 West 51st Street.