Today’s quick review: Bugsy. Already a notorious gangster in New York, Ben “Bugsy” Siegel (Warren Beatty) expands his operation to Los Angeles, chasing fame and fortune among the celebrities of Hollywood. There he gathers the resources for his ultimate dream: a lavish casino in the desert town of Las Vegas. But his most dangerous pursuit proves to be Virginia Hill (Annette Bening), a sharp-tongued actress with a history of disastrous relationships.
Bugsy is a biographical crime drama about the life of Ben Siegel, one of the most famous gangsters of the 30s and 40s. Bugsy focuses on the latter half of his career, including his move to California, his tumultuous affair with Virginia Hill, and his dream of building a gambling paradise in Las Vegas. The film paints a compelling portrait of an ambitious man. Solid acting, multifaceted characters, and fascinating source material make Bugsy a fine pick.
The centerpiece of Bugsy is, fittingly enough, the man himself. Bugsy Siegel is cut from a different cloth than the gangsters in other films. He shares their raw ambition and violent temper, but he has a romantic streak that’s unusual for the genre. His flaws are apparent from the very beginning: wild dreams, an erratic personality, and a weakness for beautiful women. The result is a grounded character with plenty of dimensions to unpack.
Warren Beatty’s effusive performance is backed by the skilled acting of Annette Bening and a far-reaching plot that still manages to stay focused on what matters. However, there are a few choices that fans of the crime genre may disapprove of. The movie skews more towards personal drama than the ins and outs of Bugsy’s criminal operation. It also takes artistic liberties with its source material and has a tendency to skip abruptly past certain events.
Bugsy’s acting talent and well-crafted story make it a worthy addition to the ranks of biographical crime dramas. The personality of its main character and the emphasis of its story may make it less appealing to some fans of the genre, and it lacks the thematic nuance, captivating presentation, and sheer scope of the best crime movies. But its quality of execution makes it worth a shot for anyone patient enough to step into its world.
For another crime drama about organized crime in Las Vegas, try Casino. For a more iconic tale of criminal ambition, try The Godfather or The Godfather: Part II. For an even more violent biography of a famous gangster, check out Public Enemies.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for impressive performances and well-developed characters.