How sad is this?

Don't listen to the negative reviews

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Billy Bathgate is really good gangster movie,but something is missing, Dustin is usual as ever,great Loren Dean performance, Nicole Kidman as marvelous in breathtaking scenes and surprisingly the unforgettable our hero in the past in Mission Impossible series Steven Hill on a very respectable and fine acting, almost unnoticed if didn't l used to read the opening credits....more helping the Lucky guy along the picture like a father,based in real facts on the thirties.Resume: First watch: 1996 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.25

Billy Bathgate is a gangster film that is based on E.L. Doctorow's novel of the same title.It stars Loren Lean in the title role of the street-smart kid who gets connected and wins the confidence of 1930's mob Dutch Schultz.Nicole Kidman, Steven Hill, Steve Buscemi,Bruce Willis and Moira Kelly are also part of the cast.When Billy becomes connected to Dutch Schultz,he is ordered to look after Schultz' new flame Drew Preston and helps him to fends off tax evasion charges.Also,he tries to keep a watchful eye on up-and- coming rivals as Lucky Luciano.Things get complicated when Billy and Drew fall in love and tries to escape the wrath of Schultz and that of Lucky Luciano.The movie could have been a lot better if it focused on Dutch Schultz for there is more compelling stories to tell instead of his protégé Billy Bathgate.Instead,we get to see an average gangster flick.But nevertheless,we get to see great performances from Hoffman and Kidman despite of an average screenplay.

While hanging out with friends in 1935 New York City, Prohibition-era poor Loren Dean (as Billy "Bathgate" Behan) notices notorious gangster Dustin Hoffman (as Arthur "Dutch Schwartz" Flegenheimer) doing his dirty work. After admiring Mr. Dean's ability to juggle four balls, Mr. Hoffman gives the younger man a job with the mob. Dean begins by sweeping the floor, but is quickly promoted to keeping smoking hot girlfriend Nicole Kidman (as Drew) satisfied under the sheets...One of the problems with "Billy Bathgate" is that Dean appears as a fully grown man who is being treated, and often acts, like he's a 14-year-old kid. Sometimes he is made to appear shorter and younger, but it's really a lost cause. Consequently, the scenes with Dean and the other men seem silly. And, even on his own, top-billed Hoffman's character registers nothing but ugly.Dean is more convincing with Ms. Kidman, who has a brief "full frontal" moment after a swim. A highlight is the "Saratoga" horse-racing sequence, with Dean, Kidman and Steve Buscemi (as Irving). Kidman has a husband (Xander Berkeley) who likes to unbutton a man's shirt on the couch, and another (Bruce Willis) who gets to try on a pair of Hoffman's cement shoes...***** Billy Bathgate (11/1/91) Robert Benton ~ Loren Dean, Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Steven Hill

Watch this if...you really enjoy gangster movies, but don't mind a strong love story theme mixed in. Don't expect the quality of Goodfellas, Casino, etc.Acting/Casting: 7* - Dustin Hoffman is great as Dutch Schultz and the film also has such co-stars as Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis, and Steve Buscemi. I have trouble taking Loren Dean serious and feel he is a sub-par actor. Unfortunately, outside of Hoffman he is the main character.Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 6* - Well directed and provides some graphic scenes that bring some minor realism to the film. I felt there were times when the movie dragged a little when it focused on the romantic angle. Overall the film is solid in this aspect.Plot/Characters: 6* - I went into this movie expecting a gangster flick, which it does provide, but there is a very strong romantic theme thrown in. A little too much romance for me, but others may deem this desirable. It does manage to shed some light on the Dutch Schultz era.Entertainment Value: 6* - Worth a watch and is entertaining. It does have it's slow parts and has a bit too much romance for me. There are several other gangster movies I would put above this on my list.My Score: 7+6+6+6 = 25/4 = 6.25Email your thoughts to filmwatchinfool@gmail.com