Once Upon a Time in America

[leonard]

Having watched this classic again last night Im still unsure what really happened. Are all the 1968 scenes an opium induced fantasy by Noodles?, and if it wasnt a fantasy did Max kill himself at the end? or was he faking his death again? Anybody got any theories?

[Lennon]

Hi ya. Bought this and watched it for the first time at the weekend, and here's what I reckon. I do believe that Max through himself in the garbage truck as he really wanted to die and he knew Noodles wouldn't do it for him - the fact that its never confirmed is just Leone's way of leaving a bit of a legend 'did he or didn't he' kind of thing. James Woods said that he still gets people asking him if he did go into the garbage truck and he tells them he doesn't know. I don't think Max would have faked his death again as it caused him to much pain to live with after he did it the first time (hence asking Noodles to kill him) and I don't think its an opium fantasy - again, I reckon thats just put there at the end, with De Niro smiling, to make the audience think. I'm trying to think of a good example of this in another film, but I'm failing at the moment!! Will let you know if I come up with one! :)

[leonard]

Cheers Lennon, having watched it again!!! (I think Im getting obsessed!) Im still not convinced about the ending not being a fantasy, what with the people driving by at the end dressed in 1920`s clothes. But as you say it gets you thinking which cant be said for many films. A good example of this in another film is "Jacobs Ladder", which a fellow Answerbanker (is that what we are??) asked a question about yesterday.