[Beatty] tries to make Siegel humorous and glamorously suave, but Is defeated by the futility of the enterprise. This paranoid sadist is not a nice guy. He is not even interesting; merely a bully with a few colorful mannerisms.

From James Toback's crackling script to Warren Beatty's electric performance as gangster Ben Siegel, Bugsy is so engrossing that you feel uncharitable mentioning that while splendid in individual scenes, Barry Levinson's movie lacks propulsion.

What finally distinguishes Bugsy from other mob movies is its ever-present sense of the absurd.

A dashing mix of atmosphere and plot with excellent performances from a supporting cast, including Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel. It's great fun -- candy for adults.