I watched Once Upon a Time in America and I really liked it! 4/5
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Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America” (1984) is a sprawling epic that chronicles the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City across several decades. It’s a film that dances between time periods with an almost dreamlike fluidity, weaving a tapestry of ambition, betrayal, nostalgia, and regret. Although not without its flaws, “Once Upon a Time in America” stands as a monumental achievement in cinematic storytelling, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
The film follows the life of David “Noodles” Aaronson, played by Robert De Niro, from his rough beginnings in a Jewish slum in New York to his rise in the criminal underworld, and eventually, his return to the city after years in hiding. The narrative is non-linear, moving between Noodles’ youth, his time as a gangster, and his later years as a man haunted by the ghosts of his past. This structure allows Leone to create a mosaic of memories, each piece revealing more about Noodles and the choices that shaped his life.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Leone, known for his mastery of the Spaghetti Western genre, brings the same operatic grandeur to “Once Upon a Time in America.” The film is visually stunning, with beautifully composed shots that linger on the decay of time, the gritty streets of early 20th-century New York, and the opulent interiors of the later decades. The use of lighting, shadows, and color is particularly effective in creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, as if the characters are constantly being pulled back into the past.
The score by Ennio Morricone is nothing short of iconic. It underscores the film’s emotional weight, with haunting melodies that echo the themes of loss and longing. Morricone’s music perfectly complements Leone’s visual style, enhancing the film’s epic scale and intimate moments alike.
Robert De Niro delivers a nuanced performance as Noodles, capturing the character’s complexity with his trademark intensity. De Niro’s Noodles is a man of few words, his emotions often simmering just beneath the surface. He embodies the quiet torment of a man who has lived through both the highest highs and the lowest lows, and who is now left to ponder the cost of his choices. James Woods is equally compelling as Max, Noodles’ childhood friend and partner in crime, whose ambitions ultimately drive a wedge between them. Woods brings a fiery energy to the role, making Max both charismatic and dangerously unpredictable.
However, “Once Upon a Time in America” is not without its shortcomings. The film’s epic length—clocking in at nearly four hours—can be both a blessing and a curse. While it allows Leone to fully explore the characters and their world, it also leads to pacing issues, with certain sections feeling drawn out or repetitive. The non-linear narrative, while effective in creating a sense of nostalgia, can also be confusing, particularly for viewers unfamiliar with Leone’s style. Some of the more controversial scenes, including those depicting sexual violence, have also sparked debate about their necessity and impact on the overall narrative.
Despite these flaws, “Once Upon a Time in America” remains a powerful and haunting film. It’s a meditation on time, memory, and the irrevocable choices that shape our lives. Leone’s vision is grand in scope but intimate in its focus on character, and his ability to blend the personal with the epic is truly remarkable.
In conclusion, “Once Upon a Time in America” is a film that demands patience and attention, but rewards viewers with a richly textured narrative and unforgettable performances. It may not be perfect, but it is undeniably a work of art—a fitting swan song for a director whose influence on cinema cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a fan of crime dramas, epic sagas, or simply great filmmaking, “Once Upon a Time in America” is a film that deserves to be seen, remembered, and discussed.