One of the most memorable and intense scenes from Goodfellas (1990) is when Joe Pesci, played by Tommy DeVito, turns a casual conversation into a nerve-wracking moment of suspense. This scene is widely remembered by fans, but many recall the dialogue differently from what is actually said in the film.
The Memory
Many people distinctly remember Joe Pesci saying the line “You think I’m funny” in this scene, as if Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) directly stated that Tommy was “funny.” However, in reality, these exact words are never spoken in the scene. The keyword here is “think”—which is never actually part of the line.
The Reality
In the actual film, the famous exchange goes as follows:
Tommy DeVito: “Funny how? I mean, what’s funny about it? What do you mean, the way I talk? What? Funny how? I mean, funny like I’m a clown? I amuse you? I make you laugh? I’m here to f***ing amuse you? What do you mean, funny? Funny how? How am I funny?”
Henry Hill nervously laughs, unsure if Tommy is serious or just messing with him, before Tommy finally relieves the tension by laughing along with everyone else.
The Scene in More Detail
This scene takes place at a restaurant where Henry, Tommy, and their group of wise guys are enjoying drinks. Henry tells a story about Tommy, and when he says that Tommy is “funny,” the mood suddenly shifts. The laughter dies down as Tommy, with a serious look, confronts Henry, pressing him on exactly what he meant by “funny.” The room grows tense as everyone watches to see where this confrontation is going. Henry tries to defuse the situation, saying, “I just meant… you know, the way you tell the story.”
Tommy doesn’t let up immediately, repeatedly asking, “Funny how? How am I funny?” The fear on Henry’s face is clear—was this just Tommy joking around, or was he genuinely angry? Finally, Tommy cracks a smile, and everyone bursts into laughter, realizing he was messing with Henry the whole time.
This scene is a perfect example of how Goodfellas masterfully balances humor and tension, but it has also led to one of the most well-known Mandela Effects in film history.
Ray Liotta’s Confirmation
Interestingly, in an interview, Ray Liotta was asked about this scene with the exact words “You think I’m funny”. Despite this, millions of fans seem to remember the line incorrectly, which is a classic example of the Mandela Effect.
Why Do People Remember It Differently?
The reason this Mandela Effect exists could be due to how the scene is often summarized or quoted in pop culture. Since the conversation revolves around whether Tommy is “funny,” many people condense it in their memory to “You think I’m funny” instead of the more extended dialogue that actually appears in the film.
Final Thoughts
This is yet another fascinating example of how collective memory can be distorted over time. If you remember the line differently, you’re not alone! What do you recall hearing in this iconic scene? Let us know in the comments.
