'Goodfellas' Cast Reunites at Tribeca Film Festival

Seems just like old times.

The cast of the quintessential mob movie of the past 25 years, Goodfellas, reunited in New York Saturday night for a 25th anniversary screening that closed the 14th annual Tribeca Film Festival.

Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino attended the screening; director Martin Scorsese was filming in Taiwan, and Joe Pesci – who won an Academy Award in 1991 for his role as Tommy DeVito – was absent as well.

“Joe Pesci couldn’t be here, but he sent this email: ‘F—, f—, f—, f—-ity f—, f—‘ ” De Niro joked to introduce the screening. “I’ll translate: ‘Dear Bob, sorry I can’t be there. Love to all. Best, Joe.’ ”

Scorsese sent a taped video message that recalled at least one way the film impacted his life: “Remember that nice Italian restaurant in Tribeca that we used to go to? And then when the film came out, the owner of the restaurant said we’re not allowed in anymore because we apparently denigrated a certain ethnic group for the picture?”

The cast participated in a panel discussion hosted by Jon Stewart after the screening.

“It’s part of the iconography of American film,” Sorvino said. “It’s one of the three or four greatest movies ever made, and if you get to do that in your career, you’re pretty lucky.”