Once Upon A Time In America - Case Study

The most promiment locations in crime thriller films are those which are closely associated with underground criminal activities, such as speakeasys and opium dens. Sergio Leone uses an opium den to give us the idea that crime and subsequently corruption is prevalant throughout the city - and isn't limited to certain ethnicities or classes. When we see Noodles smoking opium it demonstrates to us that as a character he has negative aspects and drug use is one of them.

Another generic location particularly in crime thrillers is wet, dark urban streets - this location is heavily used in Noir films and it is very clear the Leone took influence from these. The high contrast lighting which literally reflects as a white shimmer off the streets gives it a slightly surreal edge. In Once Upon A Time in America, the scene occurs in a flashback from Noodles in the opium den, and is therefore presented in a more dream like manner - with slow drifting camera movements and slow cuts - which demonstrates to us further that Noodles is under the influence of opium.

Identify two generic character archetypes:
The 'femme-fatale' archetype is used extensively in crime thrillers (translated in english as deadly woman) and is usually presented as being seductive, manipulative and somewhat evil. In this film, the femme-fatale is played by Eve and is killed off within the first few minutes of the film - which could possibly suggest changing attitudes towards presenting main female characters in this way in comparison to the 50's and 60's where this archetype was used promimently. More contemporary examples of these include Irene Adler in 'Sherlock Holmes' and Kelly Van Ryan in 'Wild Things' - although they are slightly different as expected with social changes in western culture.

Another Archetype used is the 'Anti-hero' who usually has many good qualities but has some significant flaws - such as a lack of confidence, drug use, lack of ambition etc. One example in modern film culture is 'Sherlock Holmes' himself, who I mentioned as similarly to 'Noodles' is known for his drug use.

'God Bless America' is used as an ironic statement as it was written by Irving Berlin who was born in the Russian Empire and the song itself is played before the femme fatale Eve is shot by several policeman- the corrupt nature of this suggests that the values in the song are wrong since america is riddled with corruption. When Noodles is in the opium den a telephone is ringing throughout which adds to a sense of mystery as to who could be calling.