Warren Beatty was about ten years too old to really get the leading man aspects of his character. And someone like Jack Nicholson would have been better. But he's more energised than usual - he's trying something different.
This is a movie of scenes rather than a full cohesive narrative. They are energetic scenes though - James Toback could be a good writer. The dialogue cracks and sparkles, the blocking is interesting. Maybe they could have cut the Mussolini assassination subplot - or at least spent less time on it.
Joe Mantegna (and the script) doesn't quite get George Raft, but it is fun to see Raft as a character. Annette Bening is excellent - she strikes sparks. She's a lot better here than in Love Affair.
This goes on a long time. I recall moments rather than a film. By the time Bugsy died I was kind of relieved. But I absolutely recognised it was a good film.
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