Excellent movie again by Barry Levinson, a masterly film director, the story is thrilling and interesting, I had to watch it in one sitting. The mobster Benjamin Siegel initiates the development of the original Flamingo Hotel in modern day Las Vegas. A gangster movie, you say? This is no ordinary crime drama I can tell you. There is an early scene driving in Hollywood, where he spies a certain house and asks friend actor George Raft to stop the car. Digging into a bag of money he buys the property from his favourite opera star, who is not really inclined to sell. Mr Siegel just made him a generous offer he could not refuse. And then the desert scene where Ben Siegel steps out of the car to stand behind a bush, he catches a glimpse of the mountains in the distance, he is stunned by the amazing sunset, the beauty of the place and in a flash visualizes the future Flamingo Hotel, an airport, a casino and lots of visiting gamblers. It's an awesome scene. I did not find it was too profane, as one reviewer said, after all it's a gangster movie... I am riveted every time I watch it... remarkably well made film, simply superb. Incidentally the extended cut DVD now has extra features, the making of the film, interviews with the star, director and writer. The chemistry between Annette Bening and Warren Beatty is something to see, almost too hot to handle... and in real life they married afterwards. Brilliant underrated portrayals by the two stars, I also enjoyed Harvey Keitel and Ben Kingsley, they both got Best Supporting Actor nominations. If theAcademy Awards are meaningful for you, then this is the result for Bugsy 1991 1. Won Best Art Direction 2. Won Best Costume Design Nominations 1. Best Picture 2. Best Director Barry Levinson 3. Best Actor Warren Beatty 4. Best Original Screenplay 5. Best Cinematography 6. Best Original Music Score Ennion Morricone 10 stars, nothing less... from Malcolm in Toronto
Bugsy
(1991)
Awards and nominations, fascinating, powerful story, extraordinary performances
25 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers