37 years ago ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA was released. I have read where there are apparently several different versions, so for clarity I am writing about the 3 hrs 49 m version running on Netflix this month. A CLASSIC film. Yes, the casting was impressive. Yes, funny how Deborah doesn't age. (I think her Cleopatra makeup is supposed to hide it. And I think she wipes off what is her masking of her feelings for Noodles.) The musical score is haunting beautiful. I did watch the film twice in a row. The cinematography was spectacular. Throughout the characters are seen through glass, cut glass, plain glass, mirrors; over & over they have the choice of this door or that, many hidden doors, hidden corridors. Noodles especially has these choices; keep going, go back, disappear? A beautiful example is in the hospital when after voting against Max about an upcoming opportunity, Noodles leaves by one elevator, headed Down. But in the lobby both elevator doors open, Noodles come out one and Max comes out the other. They make up, and leave arm in arm. Simple. They were split, then come back together, their friendship seemingly taking precedence over anything else. Even their initial meeting takes place with a large glass prismed light fixture. Max says help me hold it, and Noodles does.
There is so much more to discuss about this marvelous film. If you haven't seen it in awhile, watch it again.
Leone was a genius.
There is so much more to discuss about this marvelous film. If you haven't seen it in awhile, watch it again.
Leone was a genius.