Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Once Upon a Time in America (1983)

Director: Sergio Leone

Average user rating
1 review

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

In 1968, Noodles (De Niro) returns to New York an old man after 35 years of exile, ridden by guilt. His cross-cut memories of the Jewish Mafia's coming of age on the Lower East Side in 1923, their rise to wealth during Prohibition, and their Götterdämmerung in 1933, provide the epic background to a story of friendship and betrayal, love and death. While Leone's vision still has a magnificent sweep, the film finally subsides to an emotional core that is sombre, even elegiac, and which centres on a man who is bent and broken by time, and finally left with nothing but an impotent sadness. CPea.

Author: CPea 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend
Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

User reviews of this film

  • usman khawaja said...
    Posted on Jan 06 2009 03:54 lost paradise regained to be lost again in the realms of time and tyranny of existence ,
    for me this is 229minutes of pure NIRVANA,the best movie ever from america and culminating the neo classic with modern cinema like caravaggio would merge with manet,the highest achievement in art,leone leaves no stone unturned and it is delightful to see most sensible audience calling it a masterpiece as indeed everything from the haunting unforgettable score to the emotionally scarring theme of LOST LOVE AND FORGOTTEN MEMORIES is portrayed brilliantly in every glorious frame with deniro at his charismatic best as is the rest of the cast but it is leone who surpasses every maker in recent times to give cinema a virtual jewel in the crown,this hallmarks the final arrival of style and realism from europe to embrace the gloss and energy of american cinema,this also marks the spirit of an artist who withstood the studio onslaughts to bring home his swansong,
    viva de leone
    the jewish mafia has never looked so menacing yet so original in their motivation sweeping through prohibition and their own demons .
    the fragmented memories of an old man who is revisiting his lost love and deceptive friends after a self imposed exile sets a haunting tone which will always echo in your heart and mind if you have any sensitivity left in your contemporary modern consumer soul.
    the mystery that lost love can be so enchanting is explored enigmatically by leone with a musical score that sets a landmark for cinema as it even exceeds the classic doctor zhivago in its mood setting and atmospheric charm .
    the meticulous recreation of opium dens and gang street wars with waltzing on island piers and forced sexual encounters in classic plush limousines are indeed great cinema which is a magnum opus of blood and sweat set with alluring style and scorching genius .
    the four friends and their lost friendship fascinates in every fragment and frame and this is an amazing monument the creative spirit of human mind
    Report as inappropriate

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Hippies who work for The Man

Hippies who work for The Man

To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations