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Once Upon a Time in America (1983)

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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

Time Out Film Guide

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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

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