Billy Bathgate
A seductive look at a notorious gangster's dazzling and decadent empire about to crumble.
Two time Academy Award® winner Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor, Rain Man, Kramer vs. Kramer) stars in the action-packed gangster epic detailing the rise and fall of notorious mobster Dutch Schultz as seen through the eyes of his young protégé, Billy Bathgate. Billy, an ambitious streetwise kid seduced by the power, money, and glamour of crime, soon begins to seriously question if his passport to the good life is going to come from the fiery Dutch and his gang! Critically acclaimed and co-starring Bruce Willis (The Sixth Sense) and Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge), Billy Bathgate delivers motion picture excitement you won't want to miss!
Member Reviews
my wife's favourite gangster film - blasters
A good story that is well acted. This movie is full of big names. The film features Loren Dean as Billy Bathgate, who gives a fantastic performance. It is strange that he never really made the next leap in fame. I recommend this movie and think it is worth the price of a rental.personality of Dutch Schultz - Porkchop
BILLY BATHGATE (1991) revisits the events of a Post-Prohibition America, from a
nostalgia, romantic, glossy intentional perspective, taking the actual events that
happened, reversing them 180 degrees, especially the overwhelming brutality, violence, ruthless
gangwars, and street rubouts, preferring mostly a fantasy of a boy who is a morale booster
and apprentice of an aging, lead gangster, played magnificently by Dustin Hoffman. The audience
relives the experience of that impoverished working class boy of Irish descent, who evolves into
a grown man, from both his career experience in that underground organization and his
intimate relationship with the character played by Nicole Kidman.
This movie has the feel of a museum of sorts, such is its glossy psychological presentation, obviously
chosen to as to underline its entertainment value, at the same time as the story doesn't shy away (in
the rarer moments), from revealing the insidious personality of Dutch Schultz, and the underbelly
of his organization, (encompassing gambling, booze, night club, protection rackets, etc)
The music and filming is okay, the recreation of the time and space of the 1930's, is
excellent, while the full frontal nudity of Kidman on 3 occasions, doesn't seem to add much
to the movie or story, perhaps quite the opposite; the first, occurring in front of a mirror, the
next when she's diving into a water fall, and the last, when she's exiting the water. Perhaps
the Director insisted on the scenes, to underline Loren Dean growing into adulthood and its profound
significance.
The social values of the time, and imperfection of the legal system is plain, as a significant
number of judges, peace officers are keen in accepting envelopes filled with cash and gifts, in
exchange for special favors protecting the Schultz organization. T
The script spends time reliving Schultz's last years, the decline of that A far cry from the graduate - Chucky
What a cast! Seeing Dustin Hoffman as a bad guy (Dutch Shultz) was bracing enough, what an actor: he actually portrays that black hearted hood well. On top of that, he has Bruce Willis out in the East River, with his feet in cement and begging for his life. It didn't help tho8ugh and Bruce goes blub blub blub blub blub. A truly good movie, well cast, well written and very enjoyable.
Member Reviews
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my wife's favourite gangster film - blasters
A good story that is well acted. This movie is full of big names. The film features Loren Dean as Billy Bathgate, who gives a fantastic performance. It is strange that he never really made the next leap in fame. I recommend this movie and think it is worth ...personality of Dutch Schultz - Porkchop
BILLY BATHGATE (1991) revisits the events of a Post-Prohibition America, from a
nostalgia, romantic, glossy intentional perspective, taking the actual events that
happened, reversing them 180 degrees, especially the overwhelming brutality, violence, ...A far cry from the graduate - Chucky
What a cast! Seeing Dustin Hoffman as a bad guy (Dutch Shultz) was bracing enough, what an actor: he actually portrays that black hearted hood well. On top of that, he has Bruce Willis out in the East River, with his feet in cement and begging for his life. ...