[.ca] Billy Bathgate (ISBN 6302320429)

From Amazon.com:
The oily allure of underground power is compelling. During the heyday of New York's mob scene, it was more than a mysterious, dynamic draw, it was a ticket out of poverty and stepping stone to notoriety. Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, Billy Bathgate is the story of a street-smart boy (Loren Dean) who, after a chance encounter with racketeering kingpin Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman), sets out to apprentice himself to the Mafia and ride the roller-coaster life of a gangster. Central to the story development is the idea of fate and circumstance. Except for Billy, who is merely a criminal voyeur, all the characters play out the hand they were dealt, good or bad, live or die. Moving from misunderstood businessman, struggling to legitimize his line of work, to a steely, vengeful egomaniac, Dustin Hoffman gives a powerful performance. The role of Schultz is so strong, however, that Hoffman overpowers the cast, leaving some characters underdeveloped. Despite being the movie's namesake, Billy always seems a bit vacuous and leaves the audience wondering if he appreciates and values his luck. Bo Widerberg, played by Bruce Willis, is a slick gangster with a weasely demeanor and Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman), the girl to be fought over. Although Kidman's performance isn't her most memorable, she does a good job in balancing and evolving her character amid all the gunslinging and testosterone of the mob. If you're a Hoffman fan, and like gangster flicks, this movie's for you. --Jeff Leinaweaver

calling all nicole kidman fans:
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.

Over looked, underrated Robert Benton period film:
"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 \oLoren Dean\c 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 \oDustin Hoffman\c 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 \oNicole Kidman\c, 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.

Dustin hoffman is good but its all downhill form there:
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.

Billy Bathgate--Cinema's Quiet Godfather:
"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.

An Strong Nearly Perfect Ganster`s Film.:
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.