Month: April 2021

Today’s quick review: Once Upon a Time in America. Thirty-five years after leaving New York, David “Noodles” Aaronson (Robert De Niro) returns to the Jewish neighborhood where he grew up. There he reminisces about his youth, his lost love Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern), and the gang he once ran with three of his friends (James Woods, William Forsythe, and James Hayden). But more than anything, he mourns the events that brought it all to an end.

Once Upon a Time in America is a historical crime drama from director Sergio Leone. The movie splits its time between Noodles’ childhood, his criminal career in Prohibition-era New York, and his belated return home in the late 1960s. Once Upon a Time in America is an ambitious tale of criminal enterprise and regret held together by Leone’s precise direction. However, its slow pacing and dark subject matter hurt the film’s emotional payoff.

Once Upon a Time in America has an impressive dramatic toolkit. The movie has a knack for saying a lot with a few words and letting the audience fill in the gaps. Leone lingers on carefully chosen moments that capture the mental states of the characters, while sober performances from De Niro and a broad supporting cast set the tone quite well. The story covers plenty of ground, a broadly scoped crime drama with elements of tragedy and mystery.

How the movie applies its talents is more dubious. Once Upon a Time in America is a bleak movie whose characters do nothing to soften the blow. Noodles and his friends are unrepentant criminals with only a modicum of the glamor and charm typically seen in crime epics. Their victories are hard to rejoice in, their setbacks are deserved, and the moral ambiguity of the film works better as an intellectual exercise than an emotional dimension.

More broadly, Once Upon a Time in America has a hard time managing its pacing. The same slow, deliberate pacing that makes its scenes engaging makes it hard for the film to build up tension. The questions set up early in the film turn stale before they’re answered, while the clever story hooks of the film’s last half-hour come too late to build up any anticipation. The result is a story with good pieces that are assembled in the wrong order.

How much you get out of Once Upon a Time in America will depend heavily on taste. Those who are in it for its cinematography, its acting, and its gritty depiction of Prohibition-era New York will find that the film has everything it needs. Its high level of craftsmanship, impressive scope, and serious treatment of its subject matter make it worth a watch for those interested in what it has to offer.

But viewers who are looking for likable characters, a tight plot, or a clear emotional arc will not get as much out of the film. For the right viewer, Once Upon a Time in America is a well-rounded classic that accomplishes a lot in its nearly four-hour run time. For the wrong viewer, it will be a taxing and unrewarding watch whose payoff isn’t worth the investment required. Drama aficionados should try it; all others should steer clear.

For a crime drama of similar scope and craftsmanship, try The Godfather trilogy. For another biography-style crime drama starring Robert De Niro, try Casino or Goodfellas. For a glimpse further into the past of New York’s criminal underworld, try Gangs of New York.

8.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for high all-around craftsmanship channeled into a story that doesn’t hit the mark; your score will vary considerably.

Today’s quick review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) has passed his prime. Once the star of a TV Western, Rick has been reduced to taking bit parts on other shows and is struggling to adapt. Meanwhile, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his stunt double and best friend, is facing career troubles of his own. Together, the two men must navigate the glamor and insanity of 1960s Hollywood to try to stage a comeback.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a comedy from director Quentin Tarantino. Set in Los Angeles in 1969, the movie is a love letter to the pop culture of the era, filled to bursting with the sights, sounds, and celebrities of the 60s. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sports a feel-good tone backed by likable characters and a sharp sense of humor. Its rich setting, star-studded cast, and skilled craftsmanship make it a highly enjoyable watch.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is unusually laid-back for a Tarantino flick. His trademark over-the-top violence is all but absent, making brief appearances only at select moments. The plot is diffuse and rambling, spread out among three or four separate threads that are in no hurry to meet up. Instead, the movie occupies its time with the day-to-day lives of Rick and Cliff while gradually laying the groundwork for what is to come.

The twin pillars of the movie are Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Rick, a TV actor in the twilight of his career. Rick is a flawed man with a moody personality and an alcoholic streak, yet his loyal friendship to Cliff and his devotion to his craft make him a sympathetic character. Brad Pitt plays opposite him as Cliff, a quiet, imposing figure with an easygoing outlook on life and a perfect complement to Rick.

These two form the basis for much of the film’s comedy. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has Tarantino’s distinctive sense of humor to it, but unlike his other films, this time it’s tempered by the characters’ heart. There are moments of black comedy, as well as bits of suspense and sheer absurdity, but it’s all tied together by a pair of characters that the movie genuinely seems to love. The result is a surprisingly feel-good watch.

Not everyone will like what the film is going for, however. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood fits together in a very particular way, and the failure of any one part of it does a lot of damage to the overall effect. Those who dislike the characters, the sprawling and often mundane plot, or the few bursts of violence will find it to be an odd watch. It also under-uses its supporting cast, including Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, and Kurt Russell.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is an ambitious film with the craftsmanship to bring its unique vision to life. Fans accustomed to Tarantino’s violent side may find it to be tame by comparison, while those expecting a fast-paced plot will find it aimless. But those looking to take a break in a colorful world with a pair of richly drawn characters, all backed up by strong cinematography, should give Once Upon a Time in Hollywood a shot.

For another comedic look at studio life in the glory days of Hollywood, try Hail, Caesar!. For a buddy comedy set in roughly the same time period, try The Nice Guys. For another period piece that’s more thriller than comedy, try Bad Times at the El Royale. For a more crime-oriented Tarantino flick, try Pulp Fiction. For another wild Leonardo DiCaprio comedy, try The Wolf of Wall Street.

8.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for excellent craftsmanship, a unique vision, and plenty of fun.