Writer/Director: Sergio Leone
Starring: Robert De Niro, James Woods and Joe Pesci
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or gangsters, De Niro has played many characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor is his approach of method acting. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created an enduring legacy that’s proven lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Once Upon a Time in America” is definitely my favourite. Released back in 1984, Sergio Leone’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Jewish gangsters. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the greatest crime movies ever made. At the center of it all is a brilliant performance by Robert De Niro, who plays a gangster that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Once Upon a Time in America” an extraordinary classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster films, it discusses bold themes everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about Jewish mobsters, there are many strong reasons why “Once Upon a Time in America” is a movie which is worth watching.
Set in Manhattan, “Once Upon a Time in America” tells story of a Jewish gangster that seeks success in America. Robert De Niro portrays David Aaronson, a Jewish mobster that endures tension. David has always had a strong dedication towards succeed in a tough profession. However, David’s life drastically changes when he discovers the consequence of becoming a gangster. As all odds are stacked against his favour, David questions whether it is possible to become a gangster. Facing a serious dilemma, David questions if it is possible to become a successful gangster in America.
Sergio Leone has often been fascinated with the lives of gangsters. His iconic film “Once Upon a Time in the West” offered a powerful portrait of gangsters seeking to control the Wild West. With “Once Upon a Time in America”, however, Leone made his first ever gangster drama. It was Leone’s first attempt to capture lives of gangsters facing adversity but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Leone captures a Jewish mobster embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Leone captures a gangster embarking on a journey to cope with disasters by POV shots. For instance, POV shots enhance the gangster meetings scene. During this memorable scene, David has a tense meeting with fellow gangsters in America. Through breathtaking POV shots, Leone creates a portrait of gangsters that’s engaging. POV shots are tricky techniques. As Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” proved, POV shots enhance boxing films. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Leone captures tensions gangsters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Once Upon a Time in America” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it is one of the finest crime films you will ever see. Recalling Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather: Part Two”, Leone effectively uses costumes to capture the tensions gangsters are facing. Throughout the movie, Noodles’ costumes showcase his transformation into a gangster facing tragedy. For instance, the costumes enhance the gangs fights scene. During this intense scene, Noodles engages in a tussle with gangsters on the streets of Manhattan. Through captivating costumes, Leone creates a portrait of mobsters which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ennio Morricone’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that gangsters bear. Using stunning production, Leone captures gangsters living in Manhattan.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Once Upon a Time in America” is a crime classic that’s compelling. The movie is very well-written, and effectively uses silences to capture gangsters which seek success in Manhattan. Inspired with Brian de Palma’s “Scarface”, Leone effectively uses silence to capture the hardships that gangsters face. For instance, silence enhances the mobster farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Noodles bids farewell towards gangsters in a profession. Through use of silence, Leone crafts portrait of gangsters that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” suggested, silence enhances crime movies about grim taxi drivers. Todd Phillips’ “Joker” proved that silence elevates movies about supervillains. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a fantastic screenplay, Leone captures gangsters that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest career performances as David Aaronson. De Niro first earned appreciation playing troubled taxi drivers in crime dramas. With “Once Upon a Time in America”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster aging over many years but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and moving in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentments of a gangster that faces tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also outstanding and worthy of appreciation. James Woods is wonderful, capturing the determination of a gangster that seeks success in competitive neighbourhoods. Joe Pesci is phenomenal, capturing the larger than life personality of a mobster that faces adversity. Lastly, Burt Young deserves appreciation. As a mobster boss, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Once Upon a Time in America” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters in America. Unlike most gangster movies, it discusses bold themes everyone will relate to. It discusses bold themes such as ambition, bravery and immigration which everyone will relate to. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with gangster families in order to enjoy it. Therefore, “Once Upon a Time in America” is one of those rare crime movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would definitely love “Once Upon a Time in America” and so will movie-goers seeking riveting entertainment. A mesmerizing mobster classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime classic about Jewish gangsters that seek success in America, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor with charisma that has built a successful career by portraying compelling characters in films which have never lost their ability to attract audiences to the cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 