Billy Bathgate (1991)

47% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(5,615 ratings)

In this film version of E. L. Doctorow's Billy Bathgate, Loren Dean plays the title character, a street-smart kid who inveigles his way into the confidence of 1930s gangster Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman). Billy is ordered to look after Schultz' new moll, Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman), while Dutch… More In this film version of E. L. Doctorow's Billy Bathgate, Loren Dean plays the title character, a street-smart kid who inveigles his way into the confidence of 1930s gangster Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman). Billy is ordered to look after Schultz' new moll, Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman), while Dutch fends off tax evasion charges and such up-and-coming rivals as Lucky Luciano (Stanley Tucci). Even though they know they're playing with dynamite, Billy and Drew fall in love. In attempting to escape Schultz' wrath, Billy succeeds only in putting himself in the thick of a gun battle between his boss and Luciano. When "Charley Lucky" emerges triumphant, Billy is forced once again to rely on his wits to escape being sent to the bottom of the briny in a cement overcoat. Bruce Willis shows up in an extended cameo as Dutch Schultz' former business associate. Billy Bathgate was adapted for the screen by British playwright Tom Stoppard. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Robert Benton
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Oct 8, 2002

Critic Reviews

Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Uninspired but intriguing gangster flick with fine work from Hoffman and Kidman.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Kidman steals the whole show.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean !

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.
Jeffrey M

Billy Bathgate should be much more exciting and gritty than it is. The story of Dutch Schultz and his decline offers a wealth of material for Hollywood to make a competent gangster film. Instead, Billy Bathgate focuses more on Schultz's protege, and his brief love interest in… More
Billy Bathgate should be much more exciting and gritty than it is. The story of Dutch Schultz and his decline offers a wealth of material for Hollywood to make a competent gangster film. Instead, Billy Bathgate focuses more on Schultz's protege, and his brief love interest in Nicole Kidman. This succeeds in making the movie boring at times.That said, Dustin Hoffman was excellent as Schultz, and Bruce Willis was effective as well, though ultimately wasted. Hoffman and the excellent world building, the most realistic depiction of 1930s New York I've seen, are why I ultimately enjoyed it, despite its' prominent flaws.
Doctor S

I don't remember too much about it now but my lingering impression is that it was better than I expected for yet another gangster yarn, plus there's always bonus points for Nicole Kidman skinnydipping.
Barry L

Brilliant and the forerunner for some of the best gangster fims made.

Cast

            Dustin Hoffman as Dutch Schultz

            Nicole Kidman as Drew Preston

            Loren Dean as Billy Bathgate

            Bruce Willis as Bo Weinberg

            Steven Hill as Otto Berman

            Stanley Tucci as Lucky Luciano

            Steve Buscemi as Irving

            Billy Jaye as Mickey

            John Costelloe as Lulu

            Tim Jerome as Dixie Davis

            Robert F. Colesberry as Jack Kelly

            Stephen Joyce as Mr. Hines

            Frances Conroy as Mary Behan

            Moira Kelly as Rebecca

            Kevin Corrigan as Arnold

            Judy Allison as Bingo Winner

            Tom Ambrose as Reporter

            Steve Aronson as Reporter

            Richard Bekins as Carter

            Xander Berkeley as Harvey Preston

            Todd Brenner as Reporter

            Darryl Caron as 1st Bell Hop

            Anthony Catanese as Luciano Thug

            Ted Cleanthes as Supervisor

            John Clohessy as Racetrack Program Seller

            Tony Cucci as Luciano Thug

            Noel Derecki as Billy's Gang Member

            Paul A. DiCocco Jr. as Luciano Thug

            Joseph Dolphin as News Vendor

            Jerry Guarino as Hitman

            Barton Heyman as Banker

            Paul Herman as Dutch's Thug

            John J. Hladik as Auctioneer

            Katharine Houghton as Charlotte

            Simon Jutras as Hotel Manager

            William G. Kane as Man in Window

            Chuck Kinlaw as Reporter

            Robert Kramer as Billy's Gang Member

            Lewis W. Lake as Farmer

            Terry Loughlin as Mr. Chambers

            Todd Louiso as Bell Boy

            Charles Ress Lyons as Reporter

            William Jay Marshall as George

            Norman Max Maxwell as Hitman

            Barry McGovern as Father McInerny

            Frank McLean as Newsboy

            Kip Newton as Bartender

            Harry O'Reilly as Fire Inspector

            Vincent Pantone as Luciano Thug

            Nick Pernice as Tote Man

            Robert D. Raiford as Judge

            James Raitt as Chophouse Bartender

            Christopher Rubin as Harvey's Friend

            Kas Self as Woman at Bake Sale

            Mike Starr as Julie Martin

            Martin Thompson as Reporter

            Karen L. Thorson as Woman at Table

            Nicolas E. Tishler as 2nd Bell Hop

            Rick Warner as Reporter

            Rachel York as Embassy Club Singer

            Danny Zorn as Billy's Gang Member

            John Moio as Hitman

            Kenny Vance as Dutch's Thug

            Rick Washburne as Hitman

            Howard Feuer
            
            Josh Phillip Weinstein as Billy's Gang Member

            Timothy Jerome
            
See full cast