Generally enjoyed this film (director's cut). The acting, direction, costumes and music was superb. It indeed was a visual and artistic success. A great production.
HOWEVER they dropped the ball with the "Deborah" rape scene.
Now earlier there was a staged "rape" scene with Tuesday Weld. It was more of a role playing scenario as presented in the film. The character wanted it and it was used as a payoff for her part in the robbery. I still have some issues with the way it was presented but I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
But the "Deborah" rape scene was real and went too far. Not only did it come off gratuitous and unsettling; it didn't jive in terms of the Robert De Niro character. Until that point the protagonist "Noodles' was one gangster that seem to have some semblance of morality. There was no indication that he would rape a woman he has known and loved since childhood who also is his friends' sister.
Maybe Leone was informing the audience that "Noodles' despite outwardly appearances is a sociopath however the scene comes off like is was trying to go for a cheap shock value.
Rape is ugly I get it but did the director have to be so explicit. Supposedly in the book the rape was foiled before consummation but in the film it sure went all the way. I just feel that the scene somehow broke the "4th" wall to a point of cringe.
Additionally "Noodles" did not pay a price for this crime. In the end he doesn't directly express remorse for the rape nor does "Deborah" or her brother refer to it in either words or in deeds. In other words "Noodles" gets away with the rape. He should have been the one to end up in the back of the garbage truck.
HOWEVER they dropped the ball with the "Deborah" rape scene.
Now earlier there was a staged "rape" scene with Tuesday Weld. It was more of a role playing scenario as presented in the film. The character wanted it and it was used as a payoff for her part in the robbery. I still have some issues with the way it was presented but I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
But the "Deborah" rape scene was real and went too far. Not only did it come off gratuitous and unsettling; it didn't jive in terms of the Robert De Niro character. Until that point the protagonist "Noodles' was one gangster that seem to have some semblance of morality. There was no indication that he would rape a woman he has known and loved since childhood who also is his friends' sister.
Maybe Leone was informing the audience that "Noodles' despite outwardly appearances is a sociopath however the scene comes off like is was trying to go for a cheap shock value.
Rape is ugly I get it but did the director have to be so explicit. Supposedly in the book the rape was foiled before consummation but in the film it sure went all the way. I just feel that the scene somehow broke the "4th" wall to a point of cringe.
Additionally "Noodles" did not pay a price for this crime. In the end he doesn't directly express remorse for the rape nor does "Deborah" or her brother refer to it in either words or in deeds. In other words "Noodles" gets away with the rape. He should have been the one to end up in the back of the garbage truck.