Billy Bathgate Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid juggles his way into the mob, gets a crush on his boss’s girlfriend, and learns that crime doesn’t pay, unless you’re telling the story about it.

🍿 Billy Bathgate: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Billy and Dutch Schultz

In 1935, a young and ambitious teenager named Billy Bathgate, living in the Bronx, finds himself captivated by the notorious gangster Dutch Schultz. Billy’s juggling skills catch Dutch’s eye, and he’s soon drawn into the gangster’s dangerous world. This chance encounter sets the stage for Billy’s rapid rise through the ranks of Schultz’s criminal organization.

Billy’s Ascent in the Gang

Billy quickly transitions from a street kid to a trusted member of Schultz’s inner circle, witnessing firsthand the violence and ruthlessness of gang life. He becomes Schultz’s protégé, learning the ropes of the criminal underworld. As he gets closer to Dutch, Billy becomes entangled in the complex relationships and rivalries within the gang.

Entanglement with Drew Preston

Amidst the dangerous backdrop of gang life, Billy becomes infatuated with Drew Preston, Dutch Schultz’s captivating mistress. Drew is already in a relationship with Bo Weinberg, a senior member of the gang. This introduces further danger and tension, as Billy navigates the treacherous waters of loyalty, ambition, and forbidden love.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billy Bathgate (Loren Dean): A teenage boy from the Bronx who becomes the protégé of gangster Dutch Schultz.
• Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman): A fledgling gangster whose psychotic tendencies lead to his downfall.
• Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman): A wealthy woman who becomes involved with Dutch Schultz and has an affair with Billy.
• Bo Weinberg (Bruce Willis): A gangster who betrays Dutch Schultz and pays the ultimate price.
• Otto Berman (Steven Hill): Dutch Schultz’s loyal advisor and numbers man.
• Lucky Luciano (Stanley Tucci): A rival gangster who ultimately orchestrates Dutch Schultz’s demise.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Drew Preston: “I’m not his girl, he’s my gangster.” – Drew explains her complex relationship with Dutch, emphasizing her control in the dangerous dynamic.
• Dutch Schultz: “If I say I’ll do somethin’, I do it. If I say I won’t do somethin’, I don’t do it. And if anybody gets in my way he knows I’ll kill him.” – This line captures Dutch Schultz’s brutal and uncompromising approach to maintaining power.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $48,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,565,363
• Worldwide Gross: $15,565,363

💥 Billy Bathgate Reviews

Personal Review

I was intrigued by the cast, especially Dustin Hoffman as Dutch Schultz, but overall I felt the movie lacked a certain spark. The story felt a bit disjointed, and I didn’t connect with the main character, Billy. Nicole Kidman was radiant and I’m glad she was in it. It’s an okay watch, but nothing that really stuck with me after it ended.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gangster films”
  • “Viewers interested in 1930s period dramas”
  • “Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman fans”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories set in the criminal underworld”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Depiction of organized crime”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Dustin Hoffman delivers a captivating performance as Dutch Schultz, bringing a chilling accuracy to the notorious gangster. The film accurately recreates the post-Prohibition New York City era and captures the essence of Dutch Schultz. However, the film doesn’t really engage the viewer with the emotional components of characters.
• IMDB: “While ‘Billy Bathgate’ boasts a stellar cast and impressive production design, it ultimately falls short due to a pedestrian screenplay and unconvincing plot events. The film lacks the intensity and depth needed to truly resonate, making it a somewhat forgettable entry in the gangster genre. The actors are wasted and aren’t given the proper direction to bring any real value to the movie.

Audience Reactions

Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of Dutch Schultz is intense and memorable.: Viewers appreciate the film’s attention to period detail and the strong performances from the supporting cast.

Nicole Kidman’s performance and beauty are a highlight for many viewers.: Many viewers feel that the main character, Billy, is bland and lacks depth.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing but ultimately uneven gangster film with strong performances undermined by a weak narrative and a forgettable protagonist.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jeffrey Katzenberg, then head of Disney, chose to produce this gangster film over Warren Beatty’s ‘Bugsy’ (1991), believing Beatty’s project was too expensive. However, ‘Billy Bathgate’ ultimately cost more and grossed significantly less.”
• “The film is based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel of the same name, which fictionalizes the life of real-life gangster Dutch Schultz and his relationship with a young apprentice.”

🖥️ How to Watch Billy Bathgate?

As of October 2024, ‘Billy Bathgate’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Billy Bathgate, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): Both films explore the allure and dangers of organized crime through the eyes of a young protagonist who gets drawn into the gangster lifestyle.
• Bugsy (1991): Another gangster film released around the same time that delves into the glamorous and violent world of mobsters in the early 20th century.
• Road to Perdition (2002): A more modern gangster film with strong thematic similarities about a son becoming involved in his father’s violent criminal life during the Great Depression.

🛒 Billy Bathgate Related Products

• E.L. Doctorow’s Billy Bathgate Novel: Experience the original story in all its detail. This historical fiction novel provides a richer understanding of the characters and events depicted in the film.
• Gangster Movie DVD Collection: Complete your classic gangster film collection with ‘The Godfather’, ‘Goodfellas’ and more!
• 1930s Gangster Fedora Hat: Channel the style of Dutch Schultz with a classic fedora. This stylish hat is perfect for costume parties or adding a touch of vintage flair to your wardrobe.
• 1930s Gangster Costume: With this costume, bring the 1930s gangster era to life and dress up as Dutch Schultz.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Bye Bye Blackbird” – performed by Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon
• “Billy Bathgate Theme” – performed by Mark Isham

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

จากเด็กข้างทาง สู่มหามาเฟียแห่งยุค 90 [Billy Bathgate 1991]

Ever wondered what makes ‘Billy Bathgate’ tick? This review dives deep into the movie’s themes and characters, and is a must-watch if you want to understand the movie a little better, which I definitely did!

✨ Rate