A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.
"Once Upon a Time in America" tells the story of a group of Jewish friends growing up in New York City during the early 20th century. Their lives intertwine with organized crime as they navigate poverty, loyalty, betrayal, and ambition. The movie jumps between their childhood, adolescence, and old age, showing how their choices shape their destinies. From this movie, you can learn vocabulary related to crime ("stoolie," "rat," "pinched"), friendship ("pal," "partner"), and everyday life in that era. You’ll also hear a lot of idiomatic expressions, like “on your ass,” "get it up the ass", and "bust my balls” which, while crude, are commonly used in informal English. The movie explores powerful themes like friendship, betrayal, ambition, regret, and the American Dream. It's full of emotional scenes, from moments of joy and camaraderie to intense confrontations and heartbreaking loss. The language used ranges from casual conversations between friends to more formal discussions in business settings. By watching this movie, you'll be exposed to a variety of speaking styles and tones, which can help you understand the nuances of English conversation and emotional expression. You'll hear how native speakers use intonation and stress to convey meaning. "Once Upon a Time in America" is a great movie for English learners because it offers a rich and engaging story with diverse vocabulary and realistic dialogue. While the movie contains some strong language and mature themes, the compelling narrative can motivate you to follow along and improve your listening comprehension. Paying attention to the characters' pronunciation, intonation, and the way they express emotions can significantly enhance your own spoken English fluency. It’s a way to learn about American culture and history, while improving your language skills.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Once Upon a Time in America:
