There are three distinct parts to this 1978 three-hour epic starring Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. We won’t talk about the last two — centered around the madness of the Vietnam War and its psychological effects on U.S. soldiers. Too depressing. But the first half is rather uplifting. It follows a group of Pennsylvania steel workers, one of whom is getting married to his pregnant girlfriend. After the wedding (filmed in a real Russian Orthodox church with a real-life priest) comes the incredible reception. In movie time, it seems to go on for a half-hour with little dialogue — just tons of drinking, singing and dancing. But toward the end, the bride unknowingly spills a drop of wine on her wedding gown, an omen for the main characters’ downward spiral.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/vw-Tyr6Rb6I]