The filmmakers have foolishly equated the size of their budget with accomplishment. The movie drifts, and then it’s over–abruptly and before we’re able to fully take it in. The best parts were left on the page.

Despite Dean's alert, open performance, Billy remains an opaque witness to events that are unfolding over his head. Hoffman's performance also is problematic.

Despite a Tom Stoppard script and diligent direction, EL Doctorow's novel about a youngster's experience of the life and times of Dutch Schultz seldom takes off as a movie.

There's plenty of glossy, slick entertainment here if you haven't gotten overly tired of mob flicks.