Hey there, folks! We’re trying something fresh in this blog post. You’re gonna see a handful of posts where we dive deep into movies, but we’re gonna look at ’em through the lens of books written by the one and only Robert Greene. Now, some of you might not know him, but this dude’s most famous for penning “The 48 Laws of Power.” Let’s get into it!
Alright, folks, let’s dive into “Goodfellas,” a classic mobster film directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. We’ve got Henry Hill, portrayed by Ray Liotta, as our main character, and a stellar cast including Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway and Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito. Spoiler alert for those who haven’t seen it yet!
Now, if we’re talking about the 48 Laws of Power, our boy Henry Hill really pulls off Law 35 like a pro: “Master The Art Of Timing” (MTAOT). He knew exactly when to make his exit from the mob, becoming a government witness against Jimmy Conway in exchange for witness protection. That’s Law 35 in action.
But let’s not forget, Henry was a master of maintaining his independence. He didn’t fully commit to anyone – not his wife, not his side chick, not even to Pauly. He always put business first, even ahead of loyalty to his boss, Pauly. That’s a nod to Law 20: “Do Not Commit to Anyone.”
Lesson learned here: Always maintain your independence on all levels. While cheating on your spouse/partner is a no-go, you can exercise judgment on when and how deeply you commit to someone.
Henry was loyal to a point, and that’s a valuable lesson too. He knew when to draw the line. But he didn’t develop any mastery to help him post-mob life because he never expected to need it. He enjoyed being a “good fella.”
In some ways, we can all relate. We get comfortable in our careers, and suddenly, we’re on the outside looking in. Henry pivoted to selling drugs for easy money, but in real life, there are often easier money options with limited long-term potential.
So, the takeaway? Keep your independence, exercise judgment in your commitments, and be prepared for life’s unexpected twists. That’s a wrap for this post. Hope you found some insights here!
AmpedThink 