Underrated masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (8 December 2001)

Un*der*rate (verb transitive)
First appeared in 1650
: to rate too low : Undervalue
Underrated is the proper word to describe this film that was the last of a great filmmaker. Many filmmakers last picture are nothing more than a tired picture directed by an old and tired director but Sergio Leone delivered us a masterpiece. Still what else can we say about this man `s career? Only directing seven pictures Sergio Leone was a unique director, who only received respect from moviegoers and fellow actors. But was given unfairness from the Hollywood community, not even receiving an Academy Award nomination, only the Golden Globes were fair and gave him a nomination for this brilliant film.
"Once Upon a Time in America" is a masterpiece of art work, one which has two versions. The four hour version which is the true masterpiece and a two hour version which is a jigsaw puzzle. The film is about four friends who meet as youngsters and start doing street crime but then an incident occurs when one of the members gets killed and the other gets arrested but once he`s released from jail during his manhood he and his friends perform great deal of organized crime mostly with help of political connections. The characters name is Noodles and is performed by Robert De Niro in what should have been an Oscar nominated performance. I won`t get much into the plot so I won`t ruin the film.
Now I won`t say this is the greatest gangster flick ever because it`s not. The Godfather movies beat it by great miles but this is definitely one of the top ten. Sad as it can be it was underrated and still is. How? it`s a mystery to me. Maybe it`s because of the two different versions I think. Probably more people have seen the two hour version. Still it`s a great movie which features:
*Great acting-both by De Niro and Woods
*Great score
*And great direction
And just like the other great Sergio Leone masterpiece "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" this film delivers the goods!!!!
4 stars ****
10/10