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Choose the movie goodfellas that is primarily about organized crime or gang activity (a list of some potential choices is provided at the end of this document). Watch the content with a critical eye. You are expected to provide a critique and analysis of the piece primarily through the context of how organized crime is being depicted.
Some potential information to include and questions to consider:
Which ‘type’ of organized crime is being depicted (Mafia, street gangs, cartels, etc.)?
What is the setting of the piece? When and where does it take place?
Who is it about? Who are the protagonists/antagonists?
Who is target audience for this piece?
What level(s) of organized crime are being portrayed? Is it about the ‘bosses’ or leaders of an OC group or is it about low-level members (or both)?
Provide a brief overview of the plot (I don’t need a comprehensive beat-by-beat retelling of the story, just a quick summary about what it’s about).
What is the central conflict of the piece?
In your estimation, how accurate is the piece in depicting organized crime? Are there parts that are more accurate or less accurate? What does it get ‘right’ and/or ‘wrong”?
What is being exaggerated or embellished? Use what we have learned in the course to help your decision.
Is the piece based on real people/events? Is it based on semi-fictional people/events? Is it based on mostly fictional people/events? How accurate are these portrayals?
How is organized crime being depicted? Is it glamourized or sensationalized? Is it
‘realistic’? Raw? Violent? Does it depict any consequences to OC involvement? Does the piece want us to root’ for the criminals and for them to succeed or are they depicted as villains?
Do the OC groups depicted conform to the various characteristics of the ‘Schneider taxonomy’ (as discussed in lecture)? How so?
Assuming you didn’t know anything about the organized crime being portrayed, what conclusions or lessons would the film/show teach you about OC? How accurate are these lessons to reality?
What was the major theme, idea, or message of the piece?
How are the police, law enforcement, or criminal justice system being portrayed and depicted?
How are gender and notions of gender (masculinity, femininity, etc.) being depicted in the piece? What gender qualities are seen as valuable, successful, attractive, etc. within the context of the organized crime being portrayed?
Does the piece contain any stereotypes or tropes in its depictions of its characters or organized crime more generally? Are these stereotypes/tropes potentially misleading or harmful toward certain groups or demographics?
Why do you suppose this piece was as successful or popular as it was?
Do you have any other ideas or thoughts about the depiction of organized crime in the piece and how it might shape people’s perspectives or understandings?
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