Once Upon a Time in America

Once Upon a Time in America follows David "Noodles" Aaronson, a small-time hustler who leaves the Lower East Side and then returns decades later. The story jumps between eras, tracing his bonds with childhood friends, especially the charismatic Max, and with Deborah, who remains central to his longing. Memories and old betrayals surface as Noodles peels back layers of his life, and scenes from Prohibition-era streets and later Manhattan are interwoven to show how early choices shaped his present. Flashbacks are threaded with quiet moments that reveal how loyalty frayed over time, and the film keeps you guessing about what really happened.

Sergio Leone directed the 1984 epic, with a screenplay co-written by Leone, Enrico Medioli and Piero De Bernardi, adapted from Harry Grey's novel The Hoods. The original European cut differed from the U.S. version, and the picture played widely across international festivals and markets.

Its fractured timeline, lush visuals and Ennio Morricone score left a mark on how gangster stories are told. Long takes and elliptical editing have been referenced in later crime dramas, and the film's sequences are often cited in cinema and music, helping its reputation grow steadily among critics and audiences.

Critics praised performances, especially Robert De Niro and James Woods, and the film holds strong audience ratings. Major themes include memory, loyalty, betrayal and the cost of ambition, with a focus on how time reshapes identity and regret. Supporting turns from Elizabeth McGovern and Treat Williams also drew notice for adding emotional weight to the narrative.

Commercially the picture had a complicated history, especially in the U.S. where different cuts altered its reception. It performed unevenly at the box office but found a lasting audience internationally, and later restorations and home video releases helped rebuild and broaden its reputation.