Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Engrossing Crime Epic : I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!
The film spans over a period of 20 years. The characters grew up in the violent immigrant ghetto of New York's lower east side. Max and Noodles, Cockeye and Patsy, Deborah and Fat Moe. All of them are forced to grow up fast on the streets, which forces them to fight their way to the top. All of them vow to stick together. The story fastforwards 20 years into the present where childhood friends Max ( James Woods), Noodles ( Robert De Niro), Cockeye (William Forsythe), Patsy ( James Hayden), and Fat Moe ( Larry Rapp)have all come together to run a powerful crime organization which was formed on the partnership between Max and Noodles. However as time passes, things start to spin out of control, and the partnership between Max ( James Woods) and Noodles ( Robert De Niro) unravels in death and mystery.The first thing that I have to say, is that you must buy THIS version of the film because it is the uncut and full length version of 226 minutes running. A cheap two hour one cassete version was released that absolutely butchered the film. Sergio Leone created a masterpiece in "Once Upon a Time in America". The most impressive thing about the film is that it still has so much appeal today. It is #159 on IMDB.COM's TOP 250, although it deserves to be much higher than that. Hopefully a 20th year anniversary DVD will be released! The film itself is so great because of the scipt. It features a tale of friendship, crime, love, and betrayal. All of them are wound together beautifully to create the story. The story was brought to life by Robert De Niro, James Woods, William Forsythe, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Larry Rapp, James Hayden, Joe Pesci, and Danny Aiello. They are all equally brilliant in their roles and help contribute to the story. However, the best performances were given by the young actors that were chosen to play the characters as children. This is when the tragic pattern of the characters lives were set. They did the best job that they possibly could have, and this film marked the first time appearance of Jennifer Connely. Sergio Leone drew inspiration from the New York ghetto photographs of Jacob Riis. The authenticity that the photos provided to the settings was absolutely outstanding, and were the film's best feature. All I can say, is that you should buy this movie. The actors, well developed story, and stunning authenticity really provide for a wonderful film. "Once Upon A Time in America" offers a look at the dark side of the American dream that you can watch time and time again. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!P>Grade : A+ - Ryan Deffley
Rating: - Not a gangster movie -- something much more special...
...a meditation on time, memory, and the nature of cinema itself. Imagine a gangster film written by Proust and directed by Max Ophuls. Leone devoted 15 years of his life to this project; when it was all over (betrayed by America itself, just like Noodles), it pretty much killed him. There are rumors that Leone's intial cut, 40-50 minutes shorter than the "long" (227 min.) version released in Europe, is being restored. I hope and pray this is true. Christopher Frayling's excellent biography of Leone outlines the missing footage -- some violence, and a lot of stuff from the "1968" sections of the movie -- more of Noodles enountering faces from his past, particularly Tuesday Weld and Treat Williams. I always found that the 1968 material seemed rushed and choppy -- hopefully this footage will remedy that and turn "Once Upon A Time In America" into the masterpiece it undoubtedly is.
Rating: - This masterpiece will leave you haunted by it's tragedy.
I firmly believe that there are works of art that are simply a masterpiece in itself irregardless of whether or not popular culture recognizes it to be so. "Once Upon A Time in America" is the four hour culmination of a visionary director's career; it is a stellar work of grandiose filmaking and, more importantly, passionate storytelling that is lost in current filmaking. The compliments are often bestowed upon its cinematography and while the color and feel of the movie is perfect and gorgeous, the many complaints about its length and confusing plotline is ungrounded. The movie is quite worth the 227 minutes playtime and makes sense well enough when isn't cut into a shorter version. Leone's masterpiece is often compared to the Godfather series and often comes up the less favorable brother of the two. Personally, while I see why the Godfather is an infinitely more appealing film to the mass public, I dont agree that those movies were in any way better. "America" does not glorify it's characters and that is where the tragedy and beauty lies in this film. Leone creates an artistically beautiful film to watch, but his actors beautifully, and tragically [sometimes violently], humanize their respective characters. This is a story not about a hero to root and love, but a story about an innately good Jewish boy who found himself torn between two paths in life and finding himself consistently making the wrong, violent choices that force him into a criminal life full of regret. Robert de Niro and his younger counterpart Scott Tiler do an amazing job capturing the angry innocence of this young man that grows old to be a troubled man. They deliver stoic performances depicting "Noodles" [the main character] that leaves one pitying the older De Niro and aching for the younger Scott Tiler that went from being just a dreaming street punk to a haunted criminal. Also wonderful performances by Jennifer Connelly as his younger love interest and James Woods as de Niro's doppleganger. This is a movie that leaves an haunting impression behind. There is a palpable regret and tragedy following the protagonist throughout an entire lifetime. This is a story about the choices we all make as humans and how a single moment in error can change the entire course of one's life and in some ways, even rob you of it. This is a movie worth renting once, at least. The dvd has not been released in the US yet, but a dvd version has been released from a Brazilian company, for those who are interested, and can be attained with effort. Amazing movie that will leave you remembering it, if not loving it for its tragedy.
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