Billy Bathgate

Rating:
Summary: calling all nicole kidman fans
Review: "Billy Bathgate" charts the seemingly charmed path of a resourceful street kid (Loren Dean) who latches on to the Dutch Shultz mob in Dewey-era New York City. Shultz (Dustin Hoffman) has a gang which has seen the zenith of its power; its fighting to hold his place in a world with Irish and Italian politicians and mobsters.
As the movie opens with an initial act of betrayal, the moll (Nicole Kidman) is thrust upon both the man and the boy. The movie is blessed with strong performances by secondary characters played by Steven Hill, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, Bruce Willis, and a number of other actors whose faces you know but might not be able to name.

Since seeing this movie originally at the theatre and several times on cable tv, I've wondered why it didn't have a bigger following. I'll offer up a few reasons, all of which may explain why a great and touching movie is under-appreciated. First, the ostensible lead character--Loren Dean's Billy--is not really the lead character, he's the witness (and possibly catalyst) to the arc of the Shultz gang; Mr Dean, alas, also does not seemed to have had the kind of box office appeal to give the movie a higher profile. The film's erstwhile "star", Dustin Hoffman, plays a character that doesn't have the dominating screen time to make this his story or the film Hoffman's. Finally, the film doesn't really follow the standard arc of a Hollywood hero's journey: the Shultz gang is on the decline, and its not clear that the boy is on the ascent.

This is a quieter version of Mob-America and yet to me otherwise like the Godfather not a single frame is wasted, and the direction is flawless. I hope you like it.

Rating:
Summary: Billy Bathgate--Cinema's Quiet Godfather
Review: "Billy Bathgate" charts the seemingly charmed path of a resourceful street kid (Loren Dean) who latches on to the Dutch Shultz mob in Dewey-era New York City. Shultz (Dustin Hoffman) has a gang which has seen the zenith of its power; its fighting to hold his place in a world with Irish and Italian politicians and mobsters.
As the movie opens with an initial act of betrayal, the moll (Nicole Kidman) is thrust upon both the man and the boy. The movie is blessed with strong performances by secondary characters played by Steven Hill, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, Bruce Willis, and a number of other actors whose faces you know but might not be able to name.

Since seeing this movie originally at the theatre and several times on cable tv, I've wondered why it didn't have a bigger following. I'll offer up a few reasons, all of which may explain why a great and touching movie is under-appreciated. First, the ostensible lead character--Loren Dean's Billy--is not really the lead character, he's the witness (and possibly catalyst) to the arc of the Shultz gang; Mr Dean, alas, also does not seemed to have had the kind of box office appeal to give the movie a higher profile. The film's erstwhile "star", Dustin Hoffman, plays a character that doesn't have the dominating screen time to make this his story or the film Hoffman's. Finally, the film doesn't really follow the standard arc of a Hollywood hero's journey: the Shultz gang is on the decline, and its not clear that the boy is on the ascent.

This is a quieter version of Mob-America and yet to me otherwise like the Godfather not a single frame is wasted, and the direction is flawless. I hope you like it.

Rating:
Summary: Over looked, underrated Robert Benton period film
Review: "Billy Bathgate" had the misfortune to be released the year after "Goodfellas", Scorsese's great gangster film which revived interest in the genre. True, "Billy Bathgate" is also about gangsters, but if you know the works of its director, Robert Benton, and those of Scorsese, you know they are not similar directors at all. While both men are fascinated by interesting characters, Benton is more intellectual and less visceral. Even in his most famous early screenplay, "Bonnie and Clyde", the characters spend a surprising amount of time sitting around and talking prior to the movie's infamous and violent climax. So, "Billy Bathgate" does not provide as much action or as many gut level situations as a typical gangster film. What is has is great atmosphere, a literate script by Tom Stoppard, brilliant cinematography by Nestor Almendros, and some interesting performances.

Billy [Loren Dean] is a bright kid growing up in New York in the 1930s. The son of impoverished immigrants, he is getting most of his education in the streets. In his neighborhood, the heroes are gangsters like Dutch Shultz [Dustin Hoffman] and his men because they represent a way to climb out of poverty and to earn respect. One day Billy catches Shultz's eye and is soon working for him. The kid's not violent but he witnesses many acts of violence. These obviously unnerve him, but the lure of a fast buck is strong. Things get complicated when he is put in charge of looking after a rich society dame [Nicole Kidman], who has a sham marriage to a gay but powerful New Yorker. She gets her kicks by dating gangsters. She's in terrible danger because of something she saw, but she doesn't seem to be aware of it, though Billy is. He's also aware that she's the most beautiful and desirable woman he's ever met.

I thought the movie was interesting and well done. I can see why others might find it too slow and talky. It has an elegance and a dignity that is somewhat at odds with its subject matter, but I found this contradiction fascinating. I also enjoyed watching Ms. Kidman in a role that predates both her American stardom and her years as Mrs. Tom Cruise. No one at the time was aware of the phenomenon she would later become, but looking at her from a decade's distance, all the signs are plainly there.

Rating:
Summary: An Strong Nearly Perfect Ganster`s Film.
Review: A Young Man by the name of Billy Bathgate (Fine Performance by Loren Dean). A street Poor Kid-Which before becoming Friends with a Dangerous Big-Time Crazy Hood named Dutch Schultz (Well Played by Two Time, Oscar Winner-Dustin Hoffman), which Billy becomes a Coveted Position in the Crime Organization.

Directed by Three Time, Oscar-Winner:Robert Benton (Kramer Vs. Kramer, Nobody`s Fool, Twilight) made a Clever, Something Funny Compelling Ganster Film-Helps also by an Excellent Supporting Cast, Including-Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci. Sharply Written by Oscar-Winner:Tom Stoppard, which this Movie is Based on the Novel byu E.L. Doctorow. This is a One of a Kind Film, Which is Very Entertaining. Grade:A.

Rating:
Summary: calling all nicole kidman fans
Review: All the allure of the early century cloak and dagger tableau in underground new york is subtly and densely captured in this movie. dustin hoffman is brilliant as the ruthless godfather like schultz. the atmosphere created in the movie is definitive gang land new york with its alleys, shadows and deciets. one wonders what bruce willis was doing in this movie however. of course the real charm in this movie radiates from the very luminous and as captivating as ever, nicole kidman. she is the perfect foil to the dark, brooding whispers emanating from the rest of the shadowed characters. this woman has perfected the art of portraying the bewitchingly enchanting but alluringly challenged lover and seducer. all the signs of the later phenomenon she was to become are strongly manifested in this movie. so sit back and take a really long and inspiring look at those entrancing grey tinged blue eyes, the disarming smile and the marvellously delectable theatre of her expressions, sometimes questioning, sometimes tempting, sometimes intelligent, always beautiful. what's more, her 2 full frontal nude scenes will have you gasping with shocked delight.no actress brings more casual innocence and rivetting beauty to a nude than this woman. sit back and enjoy yourselves.

Rating:
Summary: That's a lucky kid..........................................
Review: Billy Bathgate on the train tracks hoping to get a glimpse of the notorious Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman) catches the mobster's attention juggling of all things.

As Billy uses his wit to capture Schultz's attention, this poor boy is given a reprieve from poverty, to a chance of a lifetime. At times it's hard to tell whether Billy "this lucky kid" understands what an opportunity he has.

I did enjoy seeing Dustin Hoffman as Dutch Schultz, Bruce Willis as Bo Widerberg and Stanley Tucci as Lucky Luciano. I do love mobster/gangster films. Although this one was more of a love story, and lacked the grit that I've grown accustomed to.


Rating:
Summary: More of a love story
Review: I expected more from a movie with such a talented cast. Hoffman let me down as a villain. His acting seemed forced. He didn't pull it off well, in my opinion. Kidman was pretty good. And Billy (whoever plays him.) It's really no wonder we haven't seen much from that guy since. I wanted to see more about Billy as mafia wannabe, not Billy the love-struck sissy. They should sell this film as a romance, not a mob movie.

Rating:
Summary: Dustin hoffman is good but its all downhill form there
Review: Lavishly filmed, lengthy mobster drama about a declining Depression-era gangster. Critics praised the lead performance, but consider this flawed. Still, fans of high-budget historical epics and Dustin Hoffman may enjoy.