I have seen this film multiple times in the past year, mostly in excerpts because a four hour movie is too much for me to sit through at one sitting. But each time I struck by the majesty of every aspect of it, particularly the work of both De Niro and James Woods. Woods was in the prospect of becoming a great actor during the era of 1984 until roughly 1999, always one of the most brilliant character actors to watch on film, always riveting. It is a shame that, like so many actors of his age, much of his energy has been expounded into conservative rants against America and the industry as it will inevitably destroy the memory of one of our greatest actors.

I find myself questioning much of the reality of the movie in 1968 as a possible opium dream. Part of me is frustrated by that and it does lend an ambiguity to the scene that proceeds it when it comes to telling us what happened to Max but I don't find myself objecting.

I agree with the magnificence of the technical aspect of the film, from the score and the use of music and other motifs, the brilliant editing and the incredible cinematography

I was planning at some point to write a review of this movie for myself - it is the 40th anniversary after all. But having read your review I see no reason to. You have said everything that i COULD possibly say about this masterpiece and with more eloquence and fondness than I could master.

Bravo