Bugsy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hothead gangster invests mob money in a desert casino and gets shot for it, proving that even in the 40s, real estate was a risky business.

🍿 Bugsy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving New York and Meeting Virginia Hill

The film opens with Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, a ruthless mobster in New York, being sent to Los Angeles to expand the syndicate’s operations. In Hollywood, he quickly becomes enamored with the lifestyle and meets Virginia Hill, a spirited and independent actress. Their initial encounter is charged with tension, setting the stage for a complex and passionate relationship.

Building an Empire in Los Angeles

Bugsy establishes himself in Los Angeles, using his violent methods and charm to gain control. He hires Mickey Cohen as his lieutenant and begins an affair with Virginia. He balances his criminal activities with his growing obsession with Hollywood glamour and his tumultuous relationship with Virginia, showcasing his unpredictable and often volatile personality.

The Vision of Las Vegas

During a trip to the Nevada desert, Bugsy envisions a grand casino and hotel in the desolate landscape of Las Vegas. He convinces his mob partners to invest in his vision, promising a legitimate and lucrative enterprise. Construction begins on the Flamingo, but costs quickly spiral out of control due to Bugsy’s extravagant demands and mismanagement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bugsy Siegel (Warren Beatty): A charismatic and volatile gangster who dreams of building a gambling empire in Las Vegas.
• Virginia Hill (Annette Bening): A strong-willed and independent actress who becomes Bugsy’s lover and confidante.
• Meyer Lansky (Ben Kingsley): A shrewd and pragmatic mobster who is Bugsy’s longtime friend and business partner.
• Mickey Cohen (Harvey Keitel): A ruthless and ambitious gangster who becomes Bugsy’s right-hand man in Los Angeles.
• Harry Greenberg (Elliott Gould): A down-on-his-luck associate of Bugsy’s who ends up betraying the mob.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bugsy Siegel: ““Twenty dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet.”” – Bugsy repeats this nonsensical phrase as a mantra after committing a murder to try and calm himself down.
• Meyer Lansky: ““He has no respect for money.”” – Lansky observes Bugsy’s reckless spending on the Flamingo project, highlighting a key character flaw.
• Bugsy Siegel: ““I’m building a city in the desert!”” – Bugsy passionately declares his vision for Las Vegas, showcasing his ambition and grand dreams.
• Virginia Hill: ““You know, for a tough guy, you’re really a softie.”” – Virginia observes Bugsy’s hidden vulnerabilities, revealing a softer side beneath his violent exterior.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $49,114,016
• Worldwide Gross: $49,114,016

💥 Bugsy Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Bugsy’ for the first time and being completely mesmerized by Warren Beatty’s performance. The way he portrayed Bugsy’s charisma and volatility was just incredible. I also loved the visual style of the film; it really captured the essence of old Hollywood glamour. There’s a specific scene where Bugsy has his epiphany about Las Vegas while driving through the desert which completely changed my perception of the movie. It made me see the potential for greatness in someone considered evil. The film as a whole had me hooked, and I consider it one of my favorites from that era.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gangster films”
  • “Viewers interested in the history of Las Vegas”
  • “Those who enjoy films with strong performances and period settings”
  • “Warren Beatty and Annette Bening fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Depictions of infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “Beatty embodies the volatile Bugsy Siegel with captivating intensity, showcasing both his charm and unpredictable rage. While the film occasionally meanders, the performances and lavish production design make it a worthwhile watch.
• The New York Times: “Levinson’s direction captures the glamour and danger of 1940s Hollywood and Las Vegas. The on-screen chemistry between Beatty and Bening is palpable, adding depth to the tragic love story. While it takes liberties with historical accuracy, Bugsy is a stylish and engaging gangster film.
• Variety: “Though handsomely mounted, Bugsy often feels disjointed, struggling to balance the gangster elements with the romantic narrative. Beatty is superb as the conflicted Siegel, but the film lacks the compelling narrative drive needed to fully captivate.

Audience Reactions

Warren Beatty’s intense performance as Bugsy Siegel: The performance has been regarded as being extremely charismatic and unsettling.

The glamour and style of the 1940s recreated perfectly: The movie has exceptional costumes and set design.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and well-acted film that captures the essence of Bugsy Siegel’s life and the birth of Las Vegas, although it occasionally sacrifices historical accuracy for dramatic effect.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Art Direction)- 1992
2. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Warren Beatty and Annette Bening met during the production of this film and later married. Their real-life romance added to the on-screen chemistry.”
• “The film features a scene where Bugsy Siegel watches a screen test of himself, reflecting Siegel’s real-life ambition to break into the movie business.”
• “A full-sized replica of the Flamingo Hotel was constructed near Palm Desert and La Quinta, California, for the Las Vegas scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bugsy?

Bugsy is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable availability. Digital purchase provides the flexibility of owning the movie, while rental options are convenient for a one-time viewing experience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bugsy, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): A classic gangster film that delves into the lives of mobsters, offering a raw and unflinching look at their world.
• Casino (1995): Focuses on the mob’s involvement in Las Vegas casinos, showcasing the greed, violence, and corruption of that era.
• The Aviator (2004): Explores the life of Howard Hughes, another visionary with obsessive tendencies, highlighting the rise and fall of a complex figure.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir crime film set in 1950s Los Angeles, depicting the dark underbelly of Hollywood and the corruption within the police force.

🛒 Bugsy Related Products

• Bugsy (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray edition of ‘Bugsy’ with enhanced picture and sound quality, including behind-the-scenes features and interviews.
• Bugsy: The Man Who Invented Las Vegas: A biography exploring the true story of Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, his rise in the criminal underworld, and his role in shaping Las Vegas.
• Vintage Style Fedora Hat: A classic fedora hat inspired by the fashion of the 1940s, perfect for recreating Bugsy Siegel’s iconic style.
• Las Vegas History: Flamingo Hotel Memorabilia: A collection of rare memorabilia from the original Flamingo Hotel, including vintage casino chips, postcards, and advertising materials.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bugsy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” – performed by Johnny Mercer
• “For Her, For Him” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Act of Faith” – performed by Ennio Morricone

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Former FBI Agent Breaks Down Gangsters’ Body Language | Tradecraft | WIRED

Ever wonder what a gangster’s posture REALLY means? A former FBI agent breaks down Bugsy Siegel’s body language in this fascinating video. I never thought about it this way, it’s pretty eye opening!

‘My Life with Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and the Mob’ the Bernie Sindler story.

Want the inside scoop on Bugsy Siegel straight from someone who claims to have been mentored by Meyer Lansky? This interview is full of crazy stories. You won’t believe some of the things he says!

Mob Movie Monday “Bugsy” Review with Michael Franzese

How accurate is “Bugsy” really? A former mobster reviews the film and shares his thoughts on its authenticity! He’s got some really interesting points.

Bugsy Siegel – American Mombster | Mini Bio | BIO

Need a quick recap of Bugsy Siegel’s life before diving into the movie? This mini-bio gives you all the essential facts in just a few minutes. Super informative!

✨ Rate