Once Upon a Time in America

Once Upon a Time in America is a deeply melancholic and epic crime drama. Sadness and Melancholy are the most dominant emotions, reflecting the film's pervasive themes of lost innocence, betrayal, unfulfilled dreams, and the passage of time. Nostalgia is central, driven by the non-linear narrative that constantly revisits childhood memories and past relationships, highlighting a longing for a bygone era. Empathy is strongly evoked through the complex character development, allowing viewers to connect with their struggles and moral dilemmas. Love, often tragic and unrequited, forms a significant emotional core, while Guilt is a powerful undercurrent, particularly for the protagonist, Noodles, as he grapples with the consequences of his choices. Anxiety and Anger also feature prominently, reflecting the dangerous and volatile nature of the criminal underworld and the betrayals within it.