More credit owed to the child actors...

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2012)

I give this film a 9 because over the many years since it was introduced, I can always easily re-watch with the same regularity as films like The Godfather, Chinatown, Network, The Shining, The Big Lebowski, Jean De Florette or The Double Lives of Veronica, Cool Hand Luke. It's a monument.
I believe that the rating on IMDb is very close to what it should be, but the one area of credit that is deserved and should be reconsidered are the child actors. Their names should appear at least in the top third of all the listed actors for this film. They have to establish and carry this film into the greater sphere where it fulfills itself.
Granted, the top tier of actors are the top tier, but Joe Pesci's role, or Danny Aiello's role is minor in comparison to the young actors. And if the list of actors followed the coherence of "top tier" first, Jennifer Connelly would be at the top along with Pesci and/or Burt Young... and for that matter, if Burt Young is listed early-on, so should James Russo.
So - this isn't a review so much as a reminder to anyone that appreciates this film to remember the work of the young actors.