Martin Scorsese consistently focuses on specifics within crime stories, though his main concern isn’t usually the crimes themselves. This results in films filled with elements that might seem insignificant if you're hoping for straightforward scenes of theft or violence. Instead, other aspects come to the forefront. The movie explores themes of freedom, common perceptions, and humanity’s journey into a new environment—a transition experienced by Ray Liotta’s character, Henry. He aimed to escape restrictive stereotypes and immerse himself in gang life. Scorsese captured this unfamiliar existence and presented it as a film resembling a documentary, portraying it with a sense of realism. The use of narration was key to creating the impression of someone nearby sharing the story directly, like in traditional documentaries.

Source on TMDB