Billy Bathgate poster & wallpaper

Billy Jaye, Bruce Willis, Dustin Hoffman

The oily allure of underground power is compelling. During the heyday of New York's mob scene, it was more than a mysterious, dynamic draw, it was a ticket out of poverty and stepping stone to notorie...( read more  read more... )ty. Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, Billy Bathgate is the story of a street-smart boy (Loren Dean) who, after a chance encounter with racketeering kingpin Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman), sets out to apprentice himself to the Mafia and ride the roller-coaster life of a gangster.

Central to the story development is the idea of fate and circumstance. Except for Billy, who is merely a criminal voyeur, all the characters play out the hand they were dealt, good or bad, live or die. Moving from misunderstood businessman, struggling to legitimize his line of work, to a steely, vengeful egomaniac, Dustin Hoffman gives a powerful performance. The role of Schultz is so strong, however, that Hoffman overpowers the cast, leaving some characters underdeveloped. Despite being the movie's namesake, Billy always seems a bit vacuous and leaves the audience wondering if he appreciates and values his luck. Bo Widerberg, played by Bruce Willis, is a slick gangster with a weasely demeanor and Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman), the girl to be fought over. Although Kidman's performance isn't her most memorable, she does a good job in balancing and evolving her character amid all the gunslinging and testosterone of the mob. If you're a Hoffman fan, and like gangster flicks, this movie's for you. --Jeff Leinaweaver

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33% liked it

4,939 ratings

R, 107 min.

Directed by: Robert Benton

Release Date: November 1, 1991

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DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002

Stats: 104 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (104)

  • bradwest
    December 7, 2008
    bradwest
    OK gangster pic. Get to see all of Nicole before Tom got his hands all over her and altered her DNA.
  • Deano78
    April 2, 2007
    Deano78
    Little known gangster film similar in ways to Casino, Goodfellas set in the 1930's. Has a strong cast including Bruce Willis and Nicole Kidman.
  • DrLappos
    August 27, 2007
    DrLappos
    Brilliant and the forerunner for some of the best gangster fims made.
  • karolinearruda
    March 15, 2009
    karolinearruda
    Good cast, but the movie is pretty bad.
  • jazzmonk
    December 30, 2008
    jazzmonk
    Good, not great. Novel's much better.
  • SweetyTerrorxXx
    October 28, 2008
    SweetyTerrorxXx
    If there was no Bruce Willis in it, I would not have put that I wanna see it.
  • tigrisdf
    September 10, 2008
    tigrisdf
    One of my faves & i loved the bk!
  • marshalltimothy
    September 8, 2008
    marshalltimothy
    Nice gangster movie to watch when there's not much on the TV.
  • yodalewis
    June 1, 2008
    yodalewis
    A good little film. Dustin Hoffman is incredible as usual.
  • abeds1988
    May 4, 2008
    abeds1988
    Fun movie,But not great with a predictable ending

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Billy Bathgate Trivia

  • _______ Elliot Regarding _______ _______ Bathgate Bronco ________ _______ Jack _______ Madison What word fits all the blanks to make movie titles?  Answer »
  • What do the following movies have in common? Shakespeare In Love Enigma Billy Bathgate Empire of the Sun Brasil  Answer »
  • Nicole "The Sandwich Artist" Kidman Movie? Billy Bathgate  Answer »
  • MOVIES NOT STARRING JOHNNY DEPP Yes, there are movies Johnny Depp is not in! This movie features the following actors/actresses, but does not star Johnny Depp Dustin Hoffman Nicole Kidman Bruce Willis Steve Buscemi Stanley Tucci  Answer »
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