SHORT TAKES : Raves for Scorsese ‘Goodfellas’

VENICE, Italy —  Martin Scorsese caused a stir at the Venice Film Festival with the premiere of his new movie, “Goodfellas,” an unusually realistic portrayal of daily life in the mob.

Italian critics are enthusiastic and are predicting that the movie will be in the running for an award when the festival closes Saturday.

“Goodfellas,” starring Robert De Niro in his sixth Scorsese movie, is based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book, “Wiseguy,” a biographical account of a New York mobster.

“I wanted to reject clearly the stereotypical idea we have of gangsters,” Scorsese said. “I didn’t want to make one of the usual films about ‘godfathers.’ ”

Twenty-one films are entered in the Venice competition.