Sergio Leone Web Board

Films of Sergio Leone => Once Upon A Time In America => Topic started by: cigar joe on September 16, 2012, 07:05:45 PM

Title: BLFJ
Post by: cigar joe on September 16, 2012, 07:05:45 PM

Where does he come up with "Green Eyes" instead of Amapola

http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/blog/2012/05/sergio-leone-meets-robert-de-niro-meets-f-scott-fitzgerald-once-upon-a-time-in-america.html

Title: Re: BLFJ
Post by: dave jenkins on September 17, 2012, 06:18:46 AM

Yeah, good question. And I don't buy the whole Fitzgerald thing. Gatsby and Noodles are completely unalike, as are Daisy and Deborah.

The comments did teach me that Amapola means "poppy" though. That's significant, given Noodles fondness for opium.

Title: Re: BLFJ
Post by: Groggy on September 17, 2012, 08:47:47 AM

I think the purpose is to highlight the differences there. Leone incorporates Gatsby's central relationship - a small-time loser who's made it big as a crook, wooing an unrequited love - into a coarser framework. Leone uses Gatsby as a touchstone while subverting it.

Title: Re: BLFJ
Post by: dave jenkins on September 17, 2012, 01:40:07 PM

Quote from: Groggy on September 17, 2012, 08:47:47 AM

I think the purpose is to highlight the differences there. Leone incorporates Gatsby's central relationship - a small-time loser who's made it big as a crook, wooing an unrequited love - into a coarser framework. Leone uses Gatsby as a touchstone while subverting it.

I can't believe Leone had Gatsby in mind at all while working on America.