Once Upon a Time in America

What Sergio Leone delivers here is almost perfect. Amazing atmosphere and storytelling, and flawless performances. The brilliant script and its three timelines are a testament to genius. Leone was originally meant to direct The Godfather, but he knew why to wait. This film is better. (2004-05-17)

There are some pictures for which even the maximum number of stars is too constricting. And Leone’s most personal work is just that type of movie. But it is hard to give it an adequate rating since even the four-hour version eventually released years later is still too short to be able to reveal all of the storylines that Sergio Leone had filmed. The result is that we are left with a lot of begun, but unfinished storylines (Frankie Joe, Pesci and Fat Moe, to name just a few). They should release the originally intended six-hour version. This way we are left with incredibly strong historical frescos that Leone guides extremely sensitively through three time periods, supported by Morricone’s music, superb actors, amazing technical effects and outstanding production design. The best part of this picture is the first third. This is where Leone’s storytelling is at its best and I dare say that this part is the very best thing that Leone created (the word “filmed" simply isn’t enough in this case) during his long career. (2007-01-14)

Once Upon a Time in America is a capriciously simple and fragmented film. And yet I was greatly impressed by it. Whenever I think of Morricone’s central motif, a feeling of warmth washes over me joined by visions of the silhouette of the greying Robert De Niro, the young and beautiful Jennifer Connelly and the enormous Brooklyn Bridge. Once Upon a Time in America is both tough and tender, but is primarily a beautifully poetic film that will slowly unfold in your thoughts and take on greater importance with each passing day. (2004-07-04)

I would love to write about this dream project of Sergio Leone, to which he devoted many years of his life, that I was so absorbed at the beginning and at the end I didn't want to go back to reality. Unfortunately, I can only say that about the first half, especially the period of Noodles's childhood, which was beautifully and sensitively filmed. The rest, however... First of all, the fact that Leone’s dream epic doesn't bore at all and doesn't feel draggy despite its nearly four-hour runtime is only due to his directorial mastery. Unfortunately, it falters a bit on the screenwriting front. It's as if Leone took too big a bite, or as betelgeuse rightly points out here, as if he had made a series, but lost a few episodes and artfully glued the rest together. Some of the characters are underdeveloped, and at times it's hard to trust the motives behind their actions. For example, the character of Joe Pesci, promisingly sharp, there’s a shot of him by a hospital elevator as if the director was suggesting "Watch out, he's still here!", but suddenly he disappears somewhere and incomprehensibly does not appear in the film anymore. I didn't believe James Woods for a second at the very end, nor did I believe his intended action, and I found the whole point about him quite implausible. However, what must definitely be appreciated is the absolutely precise, to the smallest detail elaborate design, the visual depiction of three different stages of the 20th century. Leone's perfectionism went so far that even for one short shot he was willing to "coach" hundreds of extras, believably period-styled and moving in a perfect set. Even the aged De Niro looked excellent, though perhaps it’s a little puzzling that the filmmakers did not bother too much with the character of Deborah, whose 35-year difference was not noticeable and as an almost 60-year-old woman she still looked like a 20-year-old girl. All in all, I am satisfied, but I can safely say that Once Upon a Time in the West remains unsurpassed. (2004-09-19)

Once Upon a Time in America was a film that Sergio Leone had been preparing for many years and was supposed to be the culmination of his work. In reality, it turned out to be a major disaster and probably shortened Leone's life by a few years. Finding a producer was already extremely difficult because, with Leone's well-known meticulousness, the costs were dangerously high. Moreover, the film was incredibly long, especially for the standards of the early 80s. The producer simply couldn't imagine that a four-hour epic would be acceptable to the audience, and since in the United States the producer is practically the owner of the film, he dealt with it in his own way. He cut it in half and released this butchered version in movie theaters. Because Leone's story takes place in multiple time frames, the crude interventions resulted in a debacle that the critics tore apart and the audience jeered. The film became one of the worst flops of the decade and, considering the high costs, it meant the actual end of Leone's directing career. He never experienced rehabilitation until his death, which came six years later with the release of the original director's cut. Yes, it is very long, but at the same time, it is very captivating, professionally shot, and grandiose. Over time, film fans and professional critics have evaluated Leone's film as one of the most significant in American cinema. For many actors, it was the pinnacle of their film careers, although in some cases, admittedly, somewhat premature (Elizabeth McGovern). Overall impression: 90%. (2008-01-08)