MovieChat Forums > Once Upon a Time in America (1984) Discussion > Noodles refusing to untie Moe

Noodles refusing to untie Moe

posted 3 years ago by JackalopeCash57 (92)
4 replies | jump to latest

So i re-watched this one for the first time in awhile a few days back. Upon the first 30 minutes of the film, we see Noodles return to the speakeasy/diner that serves as the gang's headquarters. After he ices the thug guarding the area, he sees Moe laying on the floor and covered in blood. He asks for Noodles to untie him, Noodles refuses because he "wants them to know he did it" (refering to killing the thug) - this really sticks out, it doesn't seem like a legit reason for him to leave his buddy Moe in that state. Was there a reason for this? Or was it Noodles just being an ass?

[–] Ace_Spade (9458) 3 years ago

It's been too long since I've seen the movie to remember a tonne of detail. It sounds like he's saying that if he unties Moe, they might think Moe did it...? Or maybe that Moe will leave and won't be able to tell them?

[–] JackalopeCash57 (92) 3 years ago

Well, regardless, I feel like Noodles refusing to untie him was no way to treat somebody who he has been friends with since childhood. That being said, it only goes to show how brilliantly and crisp the film is: regardless of this, the audience still feels bad for Noodles and all the gloomy things that come his way (at least until the rape scene, where we just realize how pathetic his mind/outlook/lack or principles are - yet he still is the :woobie").

[–] Ace_Spade (9458) 3 years ago

Yeah, it's a real trick to make somebody follow along with and root for a reprehensible character.

[–] spurtle467 (1520) 3 years ago

I thought he said that he DIDN'T want them to know he did it, which would make more sense. Either way, he's still leaving his friend in the lurch. Those 2 thugs could have quite easily come back and tortured him some more or killed him. How was Noodles sure they would let Moe live?