A thoroughly deep movie that has everything.

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2008)

I just cannot understand how anyone could find this movie boring- it is a very intense portrayal of two men, DeNiro and Woods, who once were like brothers but ended up being enemies.
During the early part of the century, times were hard and rough things happened. Comparing that day to now is impossible, for standards were different and life was much harder and death was closer to many than it is today. Therefore, many of the risks taken by people were understandable, for making an honest living, especially during the Great Depression, was very difficult. In addition, in a male-dominated world, there were women's issues that were not talked about- young girls being prostituted, molestation, abuse, etc. Despite their brutality and shock value, it was a realistic portrayal and was not over the top.
I myself gave this movie 10/10 because despite its length, the sheer scope of the story and the characters drew me in and kept me interested throughout, unlike another Leone film, "Duck, You Sucker". Violence, lust, greed, longing, love, hate, abuse, youth, age, it was all there, and more. It is too bad that in a society in which we seek to find an ending in about an hour and a half, movies such as these are not more appreciated.