Review of Once Upon a Time in America (1984) by Larry G — 03 Jun 2010

Breathtaking. Sergio Leone gives us a 3.5 hour odyssey through life as a gangster in the days of Prohibition, as Robert De Niro and James Woods star as two kids from the deep-city ghetto who grow up together through a blazing trail of crime, passion and deception.

There is a lot of material here, but it's all articulated in such a masterful, mature package. It pulls no punches - gritty, grotesque, oftentimes graphic both violently and sexually...but its power is unforgettable and its effect undeniable.

This is a story about ambition and power, and it really gets under the skin of these two main characters, who are acted and written superbly. As long as can be and packed with many memorable scenes, this movie should be on your to-see list.