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Learn English with Once Upon a Time in America

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.

Why learn English with Once Upon a Time in America?

"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.

Words from Once Upon a Time in America

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Once Upon a Time in America:

prairie: a large, flat area of land without many trees, mostly found in North America and Canada and covered in grass
foam: a soft, light material used to fill furniture, mattresses and other objects
bless: to make something holy with a prayer
asshole: a rude word for someone you find unpleasant or stupid
lao: from or related to Laos
untie: to undo a knot and release something that is tied up
buffalo: a large wild ox with shaggy dark hair and curved horns
dice: small cubes with different numbers of spots on each side, used in games of chance
inform: to tell someone about something officially
cemetery: an area of land where people are buried, often not near a church
synagogue: a building where Jewish people gather for religious services and learning
relocate: to move to a new place to work or operate from
rabbi: a teacher of Jewish law or a Jewish religious leader
backroom: a room where activities are done in secret or out of public view
buck: the male of certain animals like deer and rabbits