Once Upon a Time in America Movie Review

I'm as big a fan of misogyny as the next guy, but how did this hateful and often tasteless Godfather ripoff become a classic? What, just because it's four hours long? Robert De Niro and James Woods are never hard to watch, but even here their take on Jewish gangsters in New York from 1900 to 1960 or so wears awfully thin as they brutalize one woman after another and get into the kind of mobster scrapes you've seen in upteen other movies. And after the top names, the talent roster is pretty thin. Treat Williams? Elizabeth McGovern?

This was Sergio Leone's final film (ah, that makes it a "classic," too), and he was hardly at the top of his game, having long since left the western genre that had made him famous -- in fact, at the time, he hadn't worked in a decade. The rustiness shows. Leone had forgotten how to tell a story, and though he knew well enough to hire great actors and create beautiful photographs, his muddled script (check out the writing credits) makes a mess out of an already overstuffed genre.

More From Contactmusic.com

More From The Web

Write for us

Comments

Once Upon a Time in America Rating

" Weak "

Rating: R, 1984

Editors Recommendations

RIP Ray Manzarek

When The Musics Over, Turn Out The Lights. The Whisky A Go Go, The Roxy, The Viper Room & The House Of Blues will all...

RIP Ray Manzarek: Doors Man's Influence Cannot Be Quantified

Fruitvale Station Stuns Cannes, Next Stop The Oscars? [Trailer]

The future looks bright for Ryan Coogler's debut feature Fruitvale Station, snapped up by Harvey Weinstein at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

Fruitvale Station Stuns Sundance and Cannes, Next Stop The Oscars?  [Trailer]

Taylor's Swift's Disgusted Reaction To Gomez-Bieber Reunion Is Hilarious [Video]

Taylor Swift's reaction was the highlight of the Billboard Music Awards 2013.

Taylor Swift's Disgusted Reaction To Gomez-Bieber Reunion Is Hilarious [Video]

30 Seconds To Mars Performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live

30 Seconds To Mars appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote their new album Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams.

Picture - Jared Leto

T.I. Ft. Lil Wayne - Wit Me Video

T.I. & Lil Wayne collaborate on 'Wit Me'; a new song which will appear on T.I.'s new album 'Trouble Man II: He Who Wears the...

T.i - Wit Me Ft. Lil Wayne Video

Riddick - Trailer

Ex-convict Richard B. Riddick is back and more formidable than ever before. He is alone after being left for dead on a burning planet...

Riddick Trailer

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Lining Up Potential Star Wars Role?

The Tudors actor is strongly being linked with a role on the new Star Wars film.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Lining Up Potential Star Wars Role?

Palma Violets - Best of Friends

After the success of their debut album '180' released in February 2013, Palma Violets unveil a video for their first single 'Best of Friends' while...

Palma Violets - Best Of Friends Video


More recommendations

Robert De Niro Newsletter

Subscribe to this news alert service to receive news and reviews on Robert De Niro

Unsubscribe | Unsubscribe All

Films by Artist: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ