So…instead of focusing on the gangster, we see the gangster
life through a supposed “kid” and his relationship to Dutch Schulz. Okey-dokey.
Dutch is played by Dustin Hoffman. The least intimidating
guy pretty much…ever. Yet he’s asked to play one of the most hotheaded
gangsters in history. Sorry, don’t buy it. The whole entire exchange between
him and Bruce Willis is silly. Tough guy talk from a nebbish to an action star
is really weird. It doesn’t really matter how many tantrums you have him throw,
he’s clearly not that tough.
The story does focus on Loren Dean’s character, who is a kid
from the depressed streets of the Bronx named Billy. He changes his last name to
“Bathgate” on the spur of the moment name-game. Of course no one from those
parts would understand it is a fake name, since everyone in New York City knows
every street. Your pretty much defined by where you grew up. So, it’s
boneheaded. Or is he smart? So says Dutch Schulz, so that he can be integrated
into this plot.
The movie is really stupid. Characters doing things to
supplement the plot. Such as, Billy always being within earshot of Dutch and
the lawyer. And Dutch’s gang which included a very young Steve Buscemi, seem to
take a shine to the kid. For no real reason. He’s annoying but he is a
go-getter. Sort of. They’re so dumb, or at least the script is, because they
constantly mention the googly eyes he makes to Mrs. Drew Preston, the gangster
moll who is passed around, but turns out she’s just a bored rich guy’s wife. I
guess since the story really needed her to be. It’s a weird mix of what seems
like reality and a fantasy role play between actors.
There are easier ways to get a Nicole Kidman naked, considering
this was roughly her first role. It was odd how awkward her nudity was in this
movie. Shown but then covered up. Is it worth sitting through this movie to see
them. Hell no!
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