Billy Bathgate (1991) 5.8
In the year 1935, a teen named Billy Bathgate finds first love while becoming the protégé of fledgling gangster Dutch Schultz. Director:Robert Benton |
|
| 0Share... |
Billy Bathgate (1991) 5.8
In the year 1935, a teen named Billy Bathgate finds first love while becoming the protégé of fledgling gangster Dutch Schultz. Director:Robert Benton |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dustin Hoffman | ... | ||
| Nicole Kidman | ... | ||
| Loren Dean | ... | ||
| Bruce Willis | ... |
Bo Weinberg
|
|
| Steven Hill | ... |
Otto Berman
|
|
| Steve Buscemi | ... |
Irving
|
|
|
|
Billy Jaye | ... |
Mickey
|
| John Costelloe | ... |
Lulu
|
|
|
|
Timothy Jerome | ... |
Dixie Davis
(as Tim Jerome)
|
| Stanley Tucci | ... | ||
| Mike Starr | ... |
Julie Martin
|
|
|
|
Robert F. Colesberry | ... |
Jack Kelly
|
|
|
Stephen Joyce | ... |
Mr. Hines
|
| Frances Conroy | ... |
Mary Behan
|
|
| Moira Kelly | ... |
Becky
|
|
Based loosely on the organized crime syndicates of the 20's and 30's, Billy Bathgate is the story of a young man's rise from gopher to right hand man in Dutch Schultz' gang. Having been impressed by the youth, Schultz takes him under his wing so to speak. Billy soon finds himself in a world where wealth and fortune live next door to danger and death. Written by Michael Silva <silvamd@cleo.bc.edu>
This film had some problems, but is still underrated. Hoffman is intense and frightening as Dutch Schultz and I can't believe he wasn't nominated for this. The lead kid, Loren Dean, simply has no acting talent whatsoever. Nicole Kidman is fetching as the spoiled, rich girl and Steven Hill is excellent. Robert Benton is a wonderful filmmaker and I rate this a 7 out of 10.
The novel is better than this, but there are wonderful scenes and even Bruce Willis is believable for the only time other than Pulp Fiction. I can't believe this bombed as it did, but I think in the future people will give a higher rating than they did at the time. One of Hoffman's best performances along with Midnight Cowboy and Straight Time.