The Movie Goodfellas by Martin Scorsese - Essay Example

Movie Character Analysis: A Psychological Perspective al Affiliation Movie Character Analysis: A Psychological Perspective Introduction The movie – GoodFellas – by Martin Scorsese (1990) is a film adaptation of Wiseguy, a non-fiction book narrating the rise and fall of Henry Hill associate of the Lucchese crime family, and his friends over a period spanning from the mid-1950s to 1980. The film was literally acclaimed as a master set piece, influenced by its ‘cultural significance’, as well as fantastic representation of the crime genre, as conveyed by Pileggiand Martin (1990). Principal to its success was the pivotal role of Tommy DeVito acted by Joe Pesci in the real-life portrayal of the Lucchese crime family associate – Thomas DeSimone. The film character Tommy DeVito presents a character who is explosively tempered, murderous and ruthless symbolic representation of his chaotic life. Characteristically, he frequently engages the use of foul language, effectively portraying the f-bomb expletive as a general slang during communication at different interactions (Pileggi & Martin, 1990). As an aggressive and ill-tempered armed robber, Tommy’s psychological imbalance is aptly portrayed when he brutally beats to death, with the help of James ‘Jimmy the Gent’ (portrayed by Robert De Niro), Billy Batts (acted by Frank Vincent), a mobster of the Gambino crime family. This was as a result of the latter’s (Billy) insulting of Tommy as a shoeshine boy, which was actually true of his youthful days (Pileggi& Martin, 1990). His actions and the subsequent endeavor at ‘cleaning’ any traces of the murder eventually catch up with him, resulting in his murder as retribution for Batts’ death by the Gambino crime family. His love for a lavish lifestyle, full of drugs, women and alcohol, augmented by the presence of continuous violence in his various dealings and socialization, sets Tommy on a downward trend to self-destruction. The ease with which he engaged in violent beatings and murder portray a ‘dark’ psychological imbalance, which was ‘eased’ through use of drugs and alcohol (Pileggi & Martin, 1990). Tommy’s Character Analysis: A Psychological Review The film ‘GoodFellas’ is relevant to the both the depiction of the past, and the theme of mental (psychological) health. Importantly, as portrayed by Rivera (2012) is that the long time-frame depicted (30 years), is essential in better understanding the influences that fundamentally shaped the behavioral characters of the day. From the music, fashion, moral values to social behaviors, the historical depiction of the era helps shade some light on Tommy’s mental health and wellbeing (Rivera, 2012). Through constant interchange of the mise-en-scene, the different periods are portrayed, critically towards effectively presenting the times and aspects that prevailed in the era synchronized with the character’s status and behavior in the criminal world. Accordingly, Tommy presents the best example of a character suffering from mental health issues, especially his – anti-social personality disorder (ADP). Thus, he aptly presents the anti-social individual, who has no regard for others except his close friends (Rivera, 2012). As a mental health condition, ADP definitively is characterized by the presence of a pervasive, repeated pattern of violation of, or disregard for other individuals in terms of their rights and freedoms. Often being associated with criminality, Tommy’s condition often portrays the presence of an impoverished conscience or moral sense; augmented by the individual’s history with legal issues, criminal, aggressive (violent) and impulsive behavior. Notable is that the early childhood conditioning of individuals is a key factor in the development of the condition, especially through abuse; with men being at a greater risk of being affected (Rivera, 2012). Furthermore, it is a condition that is shared across various populations, with regard to people who have or are in prison (criminality). Characteristically, as presented by Semple (2005), persons suffering from the condition portray a number of unique behavioral traits, a representation of their restless, solitary nature. These include having difficulties with substance abuse, attracted to stealing, lying and often fighting aggressively, engaging in greater criminality, hence often being pursued by the law and often being arrogant and ill tempered. Others include portrayal of no remorse or guilt for wrongs or evils done, generally disregarding the safety of others and self, and effectiveness at the manipulation of other people’s emotions through charming, wit and flattery (Semple, 2005). Tommy’s character is similar in nature given the fact that despite his anti-social character, he would be able to put on a different trait blending into social settings whenever it called for. However, he was most famous for his cursing, violent and aggressive behavior, especially when it came to the ‘Family (Lucchese crime family) matters.’ Furthermore, his ‘fool-hardy’ willingness to take the lives of others, all in the name of profit, portrays him as a dangerous ill-tempered psychopath. He is not only violent, abusive and reckless, but also most dangerous due to his insatiable desire for power (Pileggi & Martin, 1990). His overall character is evidently shaped by several issues that include the American Dream, the culture of materialism and power where he seeks to establish himself despite the costs and sacrifices made. This is aptly portrayed when he brutally beats to death Billy Batts, a mobster of the Gambino crime family with the help of his associate ‘Jimmy the Gent’. His lavish lifestyle, idolizing celebrities and spending lots of money on luxury brands, was a way of establishing a social identity (Semple, 2005). Further identifiable with Tommy’s character is the aspect of psychopathy, which is shaped by the presence of various traits, as Patrick (2005) conveys. These include poor behavioral controls, a diminished capacity for any guilt and/ or remorse for wrongdoing, the lack of fear and, or anxiety even when under threat and the effective portrayal of a bold inter-personal style, which can be used to mask the presence of maladaptive behavioral traits, i.e. fraudulent behavior, conning and stealing etc. Others include the display of high levels of attention seeking that is augmented with low anxiety (linked with stress immunity and social potency), and the portrayal of low levels of withdrawal (Patrick, 2005). As Theodore Millon provides through his ‘Five subtypes’ of the condition of ASPD, Tommy’s life and character is uniquely represented in three of the subtypes (my personal perception) i.e. the Malevolent, risk-taking and reputation-defending. With regard to the malevolent subtype the characteristic traits include paranoid and sadistic features i.e. viciousness, brutality, resentfulness, desire for revenge, fearless, malignant and guiltless (Semple, 2005). In reference to risk-taking, which also includes histrionic features, the following traits are portrayed impulsiveness, venturesome, pursuit of perilous ventures, boldness, foolhardy, audacious, dauntless, daring, and unbalanced by hazards in addition to being heedless and recklessness. Perhaps the most critical of features portrayed in Tommy’s character are represented through the reputation defending subtype. It also includes narcissistic features, i.e. unbreakable, inviolable, over-reactive to various slights, invincible, formidable, the need to be perceived as infallible, and portrays stubbornness when questioned (Patrick, 2005). ASPD: An Etiological Perspective Anti-social personality disorder, as a condition, often occurs in adult males as opposed to the female gender and is confirmed by way of a psychological analysis or evaluation. An important aspect is that because this condition often co-exists with drug and substance abuse, further complicates the treatment procedure for both. While the precise causal factors of the condition are unknown, two potential leads have been implicated i.e. genetics and the social environment one grows up in. critically, the childhood experience of, and exposure to a dysfunctional family life, is a potential causal factor of the condition (Semple, 2005). However, the two leads are the best avenues of analyzing the disorder, with genetics entailing the presence of inherited tendencies in terms of personality character traits being passed on from parents to their young ones. On the other hand, as Farrington and Jeremy (2003) convey, the environmental factor pertains to the emulation of behavioral traits by the young, where the surroundings a young one grows up in; influentially affects their future character traits. This is also linked to the aspect of a dysfunctional family life, which is characterized by the presence of abuse (physical, psychological, and even sexual); causing psychological trauma to the yet-not-fully-developed mind of young children. Hence, ASPD is often described as being triggered by the presence of a combination of some, or all of the aforementioned influences (Farrington & Jeremy, 2003). Furthermore, through early influence, experience and exposure to family relations portraying the same condition, young children are more likely to adopt such behavior in their subsequent adult life. Fundamentally, various researchers portray diverse theories with regard to the cause of the condition. One theory is of the suggestion that a key causal factor may be the presence of abnormalities, with regard to the development of the nervous system. In relation, other abnormalities that are suggestive of abnormal nervous system development include hyperactivity, persistent bedwetting, and learning disorders mainly in children (Patrick, 2005). Furthermore, as Lock (2008) eludes, recent research portrays the link between smoking and the condition, with those mothers who engaged in smoking (during pregnancy), influencing the potential development of ASPD in their offspring. The reasoning is based on the view that smoking brings about lower levels of the important oxygen gas, hence resulting in the fetus experiencing subtle brain injury. Another theory is of a different perspective, suggesting that individuals with the condition are characterized by the need for greater sensory input, with regard to normal brain functionality. This is supported by evidence portraying the fact that anti-social persons usually display low skin conductance and resting pulse rates, in addition to portraying decreased levels of amplitude on specific brain measures (Lock, 2008). Thus, there is linkage between functional anomaly in serotonin levels and aggressive and impulsive behavior. ASPD: Treatment measures Towards effectively treating the condition, there is need for enhanced motivation in those suffering from the condition, through psychological therapy. To be noted is that ASPD is considered as one of the hardest personality disorders to effectively treat. This is influenced by the fact that individuals suffering from the condition often have very low, if any capacity or will, for remorse in addition to insufficient levels of motivation critical towards effective treatment. Furthermore, such persons often fail to perceive the direct and indirect negative costs, which are associated with their anti-social actions and/ or acts (Farrington & Jeremy, 2003). Thus, the best choice-options of treatment necessarily are associated with therapeutic interventions. Through residential programs, which provide cautiously controlled contexts of supervision and structure along with the presence of peer confrontation, the condition can be effectively tackled. In addition, Schema therapy, and Multi-systemic therapy have been touted as a potential treatment avenues, though this necessitates the presence of both complete participation and cooperation of all family relations, related to the individual suffering from the condition (Lock, 2008). Due to the often ‘-chaotic’ relationship between individuals having ASPD and their therapists, it is often insisted that focus should not be on various attempts at developing a sense of conscience in such patients. Rather, the prevailing therapeutic avenues need to be focused on presenting and subsequently enhancing both utilitarian and rational arguments against the future repeating of past mistakes. Accordingly, the focus here should be on cultivating the potential tangible, material significance of pro-social characteristics and behavioral traits (Farrington & Jeremy, 2003). Conclusion The movie – GoodFellas – by Martin Scorsese (1990) is a film adaptation of Wiseguy, a non-fiction book narrating the rise and fall of Henry Hill. The film is relevant to the both the depiction of the past, and the theme of mental (psychological) health. In the film, Tommy displays the symptoms of anti-social personality disorder (ADP). Anti-social personality disorder, as a condition, often occurs in adult males as opposed to the female gender. Tommy’s character shows an aspect of ADP in nature given the fact that despite his anti-social character, he would be able to put on a different trait blending into social settings whenever it called for. To be noted is that currently, no medications are approved for use in treatment though some are useful in the alleviation of certain conditions that are often associated with the condition, i.e. aggression and high temperament. Thus, anti-depressant, mood-stabilizing and anti-psychotic medications may aid in at least alleviating the conditional influences, in order to tap into the psychological aspect of individuals affected by the condition. References Farrington, D.P. & Jeremy, C. (2003). Early Prevention of Adult Antisocial Behavior. Cambridge University Press. Lock, M.P. (2008). Treatment of antisocial personality disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 193 (5): 426. Patrick, C. (2005). Handbook of Psychopathy. Guilford Press. Pileggi, N. & Martin, S. (1990). Goodfellas. Faber and Faber. : ISBN 978-0-571-16265-9. Rivera, A. (30 Jan 2012). Mental Health in GoodFellas. American Cinema: 1960-Present [wordpress.com], retrieved (26 Mar, 2015) from: https://amcinema1960present.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/mental-health-in-goodfellas/ Semple, D. (2005). The Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry. USA: Oxford University Press. Read More