Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime drama film directed by Sergio Leone and based on Harry Grey’s novel The Hoods. The film spans several decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s, and is set in New York City. It explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time through the lives of Jewish gangsters.
The Story Unfolds
Prologue: The Search for Noodles
The film opens in the 1960s with David “Noodles” Aaronson (Robert De Niro) returning to New York City after decades in hiding. Noodles reflects on his past, triggered by a mysterious invitation to a party.
The Childhood of Noodles and His Gang
Flashbacks reveal Noodles’ early years in the Jewish ghetto of New York. Young Noodles (Scott Tiler) and his friends, including Max (Rusty Jacobs/James Woods), Patsy (Brian Bloom/James Hayden), and Cockeye (Adrian Curran/William Forsythe), form a gang. They engage in petty crimes and dream of wealth and power.
Rise to Power
As teenagers, the gang grows more ambitious, taking on more significant criminal activities. The friendship between Noodles and Max deepens, and they become partners in crime. Their ventures bring them into conflict with local mafiosos and law enforcement.
Betrayal and Downfall
In a pivotal moment, an older Noodles (Robert De Niro) is betrayed by Max. Following a failed robbery, Noodles mistakenly believes he has killed his friends and goes into hiding, escaping to Buffalo.
The 1960s: Confronting the Past
In the 1960s, Noodles returns to New York and learns that his friends are alive. He uncovers the truth about Max’s betrayal and his rise to power, which involved becoming a prominent politician. Max faked his death to escape their criminal past and start anew.
The Climactic Confrontation
Noodles confronts Max, who is now living under a new identity. Max offers Noodles the chance to kill him and exact revenge, but Noodles refuses, choosing to walk away from his past and the violence that defined it.
The Ambiguous Ending
The film ends with Noodles reflecting on his life and choices. The final scenes leave viewers with a sense of ambiguity, emphasizing the themes of memory, regret, and the inexorable passage of time.
The film concludes with an older Noodles looking back on his life, filled with nostalgia and regret. The ambiguous ending, featuring a haunting smile from Noodles, symbolizes the unresolved emotions and the complexity of his journey.
Post-Credits Scene
There are no post-credits scenes in Once Upon a Time in America.
Type of Movie
Once Upon a Time in America is an epic crime drama that blends elements of historical fiction, gangster genre, and emotional drama. It is renowned for its non-linear storytelling and complex character development.
Cast
Robert De Niro as David “Noodles” Aaronson
James Woods as Maximilian “Max” Bercovicz
Elizabeth McGovern as Deborah Gelly
Joe Pesci as Frankie Minaldi
Burt Young as Joe
Tuesday Weld as Carol
Treat Williams as James Conway O’Donnell
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Ennio Morricone, whose haunting and evocative music enhances the film’s emotional depth and atmosphere. The soundtrack features memorable pieces like “Deborah’s Theme” and “Cockeye’s Song.”
Filming Locations
Once Upon a Time in America was filmed in various locations, including:
New York City, USA: Iconic landmarks and streets for authenticity.
Venice, Italy: For certain historical settings.
Rome, Italy: For interior scenes and set constructions.
Once Upon a Time in America received several prestigious awards, including:
Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for Best Director (Sergio Leone), Best Original Score (Ennio Morricone).
BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Score.
Cannes Film Festival: The film was screened out of competition, receiving critical acclaim.
Behind the Scenes Insights
Sergio Leone spent over a decade developing the film, which was originally planned as two separate films but was later condensed into a single, epic narrative.
The film’s non-linear structure was a significant departure from traditional storytelling, requiring careful editing and attention to detail.
Robert De Niro and James Woods delivered standout performances, with De Niro undergoing significant preparation to portray Noodles at various stages of his life.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on the novel The Hoods by Harry Grey, a pseudonym for Harry Goldberg, a former gangster. Leone drew inspiration from Grey’s semi-autobiographical account, infusing the story with his unique directorial style and thematic depth.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The final cut closely follows Leone’s vision, though several scenes were trimmed for pacing. Some deleted scenes and additional content are available in special editions, offering further context and character development.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is based on The Hoods by Harry Grey. While the core plot remains similar, Leone’s adaptation adds a richer emotional layer and a non-linear structure that deepens the narrative complexity.
The botched robbery leading to Noodles’ betrayal and self-imposed exile.
Noodles’ return to New York and discovery of Max’s survival and transformation.
The final confrontation between Noodles and Max.
The haunting final scene with Noodles reflecting on his past.
Iconic Quotes
“I made the deal, but I didn’t trust the guy.” – Noodles
“You see, Mr. Secretary, I have a problem. I have a stockholder who doesn’t trust me.” – Max
“I’ll only tell you one thing, Noodles. You’re the only person I can trust.” – Max
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
The use of recurring musical themes to symbolize the passage of time and memories.
The meticulous period details in the sets and costumes, capturing the essence of each era depicted in the film.
Trivia
The film’s budget was approximately $30 million, and it grossed around $5.3 million in its initial release, though it has since gained a cult following.
The original cut of the film was over four hours long, but it was significantly shortened for the U.S. release, which affected its initial reception.
The restored version, which includes previously cut scenes, has been widely praised and appreciated by audiences and critics.
Why Watch?
Once Upon a Time in America is a masterful exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time. Its epic scope, strong performances, and emotional depth make it a must-watch for fans of classic cinema and crime dramas.
