Review of Once Upon a Time in America (1984) by Dave J — 31 Mar 2010

Thursaday, April 1, 2010.

(1984) Once Upon A Time In America.

DRAMA.

In my opinion, partly an inspiration to Quentin Tarantino's well made "Pulp Fiction" film because of the multiple connected stories and the use of the beginning is the end or the end is the beginning!! Upon researching for this film, I was a little stoked that a longer version of this film existed in some European prints because the almost 4 hrs running time length was still quite effective.

Sometimes I can get more out of a film by reading about it than to see it a second time around- but not on this case whereas it was just as engaging reading about other peoples dianalysis of this film as I do watching it again and again, scene by scene. The soundtrack by Ennio Morricone is the best I've ever heard with Sergio Leone right beside him, and it should've won for the musical score had Warner Brothers had not raped the film, chopping the film to two hours in length theatrically which outraged many fans and critics because of it's supposedly long running time of almost 4 HRS was 100% necessary. The 2 hr version of course bombed at the BO and so was it's chances of winning any Oscar awards. I swear to you Ennio Morricone best musical scores is with Sergio Leone ONLY and it shouldn't be with nobody else which Morricone eventually won for the musical score of "The Mission"!!!

I love this film more than I do "The Godfather", even if the film demeans female characters. The story structure as well as it's actions is very direct, (does not take it's time) gets to it's point and is 'in-your face' not for the 'faint of heart' because of it's unrelenting violence and has the most harshest look of the mafia world (even though it's not about Italians) with "Goodfellas' coming on for a strong second because of it's strong and unrelenting violence throughout the film for both male and female characters.

The last of Sergio Leone's masterpiece!!

4/4.