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Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Loren Dean, Bruce Willis, Steven Hill ... see more see more... , Stanley Tucci , Steve Buscemi , Billy Jaye , John Costelloe , Tim Jerome , Robert F. Colesberry , Stephen Joyce , Frances Conroy , Moira Kelly , Kevin Corrigan , Judy Allison , Tom Ambrose , Steve Aronson , Richard Bekins , Xander Berkeley , Todd Brenner , Darryl Caron , Anthony Catanese , Ted Cleanthes , John Clohessy , Tony Cucci , Noel Derecki , Paul A. DiCocco Jr. , Joseph Dolphin , Jerry Guarino , Barton Heyman , Paul Herman , John J. Hladik , Katharine Houghton , Simon Jutras , William G. Kane , Chuck Kinlaw , Robert Kramer , Lewis W. Lake , Terry Loughlin , Todd Louiso , Charles Ress Lyons , William Jay Marshall , Norman Max Maxwell , Barry McGovern , Frank McLean , Kip Newton , Harry O'Reilly , Vincent Pantone , Nick Pernice , Robert D. Raiford , James Raitt , Christopher Rubin , Kas Self , Mike Starr , Martin Thompson , Karen L. Thorson , Nicolas E. Tishler , Rick Warner , Rachel York , Danny Zorn , John Moio , Kenny Vance , Rick Washburne , Howard Feuer , Josh Phillip Weinstein , Timothy Jerome

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 Hoff... read more read more...man). 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

Flixster Users

32% liked it

5,614 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Robert Benton

Release Date: November 1, 1991

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DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002

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Stats: 143 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (143)

  • 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.
  • fb704730572
    August 6, 2011
    fb704730572
    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 Nic... read moreole 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.
  • DrStrangeblog
    July 18, 2011
    DrStrangeblog
    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.
  • DrLappos
    August 27, 2007
    DrLappos
    Brilliant and the forerunner for some of the best gangster fims made.
  • 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.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    August 7, 2007
    MovieGuruDude72
    Worth watching just to see straight man Dustin Hoffman actually get his hands dirty and play a dark character. He should do more of these.

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Critic Reviews

Dan Lybarger
July 27, 2003
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

Uninspired but intriguing gangster flick with fine work from Hoffman and Kidman.

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Kidman steals the whole show.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

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March 12, 2009
Variety

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Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

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Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

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November 1, 1991
Entertainment Weekly

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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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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