“Bugsy 1991” is a gangster film about the rise and fall of notorious mobster Bugsy Siegel.
Siegel is a charming but ruthless criminal who dreams of building a lavish casino in the middle of the desert.
His obsession with the project leads to his downfall and ultimate demise.
The film’s cinematography captures the glitz and glamour of 1940s Hollywood, while also portraying the violence and corruption that lurked beneath the surface.
Warren Beatty delivers a tour-de-force performance as Siegel, showcasing his charisma and menace in equal measure.
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Review
When it comes to gangster movies, most people think of The Godfather or Goodfellas. However, one movie that often gets overlooked is Bugsy, the 1991 crime-drama directed by Barry Levinson. Bugsy tells the story of notorious gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and his role in the development of Las Vegas.
The movie opens with Siegel, played brilliantly by Warren Beatty, arriving in Hollywood with his loyal associate, Mickey Cohen (Harvey Keitel). They are there to oversee their illegal gambling operations but Siegel soon becomes infatuated with Hollywood glamour and beauty. He meets Virginia Hill (Annette Bening), a beautiful actress who quickly becomes his lover and partner in crime.
While the romance between Siegel and Hill is a central plot point, what really sets Bugsy apart is its historical accuracy. The filmmakers did extensive research on Siegel’s life and incorporated many real-life events into the story. For example, we see Siegel’s involvement in illegal gambling in California before he moves on to Las Vegas.
Speaking of Las Vegas, Bugsy provides an inside look at how the city came to be. We see Siegel’s vision for the Flamingo Hotel and Casino and how he believes that it can become a luxurious destination for wealthy tourists. It’s fascinating to see how Siegel turns this barren desert into an oasis of entertainment.
The acting in Bugsy is also top-notch. Beatty received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of Siegel. He perfectly captures both the charisma and ruthlessness of the character. Bening also received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Hill, who was known for being just as tough as any man in the business.
One scene that stands out is when Siegel meets with Meyer Lansky (Ben Kingsley) to discuss their business dealings. The dialogue crackles with tension as they try to negotiate their respective positions. It’s a testament to the writing and acting that this scene is so engrossing, despite there being no physical action.
The score for Bugsy was composed by none other than Ennio Morricone, the mastermind behind the music for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in America. His score perfectly captures the mood of each scene, whether it’s romantic or suspenseful.
Not only was Bugsy critically acclaimed, but it also performed well at the box office. It grossed over $49 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing movies of 1991. The movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design.
Despite all of its success, Bugsy has its share of criticism. Some people felt that Beatty was too old to play Siegel (who died at age 41) and that Bening’s portrayal of Hill was too sympathetic towards her character. Additionally, some critics thought that the movie dragged on in places and could have been trimmed down slightly.
Overall though, Bugsy is a compelling look into one man’s attempt to make his fortune through illegal means. It provides an interesting glimpse into how Las Vegas came to be and showcases some excellent performances. If you’re a fan of gangster movies or just want to learn more about this fascinating period in history, then Bugsy is definitely worth checking out.
Technical Data
- Release : 1991-12-10
- Runtime : 134
- Genre : Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Cast : Warren Beatty as Ben ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, Annette Bening as Virginia Hill, Harvey Keitel as Mickey Cohen, Ben Kingsley as Meyer Lansky, Elliott Gould as Harry Greenberg
- Crew : Nancy Haigh as Set Decoration, Ennio Morricone as Original Music Composer, Ellen Chenoweth as Casting, Dennis Gassner as Production Design, Richard Beggs as Sound Designer
- Revenue : $49,114,016
- Budget : $30,000,000
- Company : Baltimore Pictures, TriStar Pictures
- Popularity : 15.035
- Summary : New York gangster Ben ‘Bugsy’ Siegel takes a brief business trip to Los Angeles. A sharp-dressing womanizer with a foul temper, Siegel doesn’t hesitate to kill or maim anyone crossing him. In L.A. the life, the movies, and most of all strong-willed Virginia Hill detain him while his family wait back home. Then a trip to a run-down gambling joint at a spot in the desert known as Las Vegas gives him his big idea.
- Tagline : Glamour was the disguise.
