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Once Upon a Time in America

2020·Movie
2h 45min
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

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No stream option in US yet.

Once Upon a Time in America fingerprint

Masterful craft, stunning style, no humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Violence6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Dark Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

History, crime, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, characters, and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction10
  • Character Depth10
  • Acting9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography10
  • Editing9
  • Music Composition9

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The time: the 1920s. The place: New York City. The Lower East Side, on the southeast corner of Manhattan Island, is home to a great many Jewish immigrants who came to the United States, beginning in the late 19th century, from a Russia ravaged by political turmoil and an eastern Europe where they had experienced tremendous poverty. Despite the American dream that anyone can achieve success, for the Jewish immigrants in the Lower East Side this dream is difficult to make a reality. David “Noodles” Aaronson is born into this Jewish enclave, and from a very young age gets his hands dirty in the seedy underbelly of society. Along with his trusted companions Max, Cockeye, Patsy, and Dominic, Noodles lays down roots in the criminal underworld...
Epic Crime SagaTragic NostalgiaNon-Linear NarrativeBrotherhood & BetrayalHistorical RealismMelancholic AtmosphereCharacter StudyVisual MasterpieceSlow-Burn Drama

Crew

Directed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Once Upon a Time in America

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Once Upon a Time in America legally?

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Is Once Upon a Time in America worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 90/100. The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Once Upon a Time in America rated?

ViolenceStrong languageDrug use

Content advisories: violence, strong language, and drug use.

How long is Once Upon a Time in America?

2 h 45 min

Once Upon a Time in America runs 2 h 45 min.

What language is Once Upon a Time in America in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

What tropes does Once Upon a Time in America use?

Batman GambitShout-OutThe Un-RevealCorrupt PoliticianRags to RichesBig ApplesauceAnachronic OrderMy God, What Have I Done?Ambiguous EndingDarker and EdgierI Love the DeadThe Mafiaand 65 more

TV Tropes lists 77 storytelling tropes for Once Upon a Time in America, including Batman Gambit, Shout-Out, The Un-Reveal.