《美国往事》讲述的并非是一个逻辑完整的传统故事，而是他本人对他一生所钟爱的美国历史、文化与精神的一次纯粹自我的表达。影片以纽约的犹太社区为背景，叙述四个从小一起长大的童年玩伴之间纠葛的恩怨情仇。

　　《美国往事》经典台词

　　1.对你的思念让我熬过了这一切你知道你对我有多重要吗?

　　And that would get me through it all.You know how important that was to me?

　　2.在墓园里翻云覆雨，他们经常如此别担心，他不是同性恋

　　Turning over in the grave. They do it every time.Don't worry. A pansy he ain't.

　　3.你们拍到了我没穿裤子的照片，不，我们拍到你在和未成年少女乱搞

　　You boys caught me with my pants down that time.No, we caught you with your schmuck in a minor.

　　4.人生何其妙，如是而已 其实也不是什么大事

　　Life is stranger than shit, that's all. It's a pisser. No big story.

　　5.我真不敢相信 我的第一次是个烂条子替我付钱

　　I can't believe it. My first time, and a lousy cop's paying for it.

　　6.今晚我们喝下的不只是酒还有我们十年的岁月 十年，不虚此行

　　There's more onboard tonight than just booze.It's 10 years of our lives. Ten years that were really worth living.

　　7.她将要得到他的第一个吻 夺去我天堂中无上的快乐

　　and spend that kiss which is my heaven to have.

　　8.情同手足的朋友 为纪念永恒的回忆而立