Review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) by Stuart K — 19 Jun 2012
Directed by Arthur Penn (The Miracle Worker (1962), Alice's Restaurant (1969) and Little Big Man (1970)), with a screenplay by David Newman and Robert Benton, this was the film that added a new shade of violence to cinema screens worldwide, breaking cinematic taboos and helping to herald in New Hollywood.
It's still a violent, uncomfortable film 45 years later. In the middle of the Great Depression in West Dallas, Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) meets Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) as he try's to steal Bonnie's mother's car, which he's unsuccessful in doing, but Bonnie is intrigued by what he does, and she's bored with her job as a waitress.
No sooner than they've met, he robs a shop and she teams up with him and they're on the road across Texas. Their crime spree isn't exactly lucrative, but it builds up when they pick up slow gas station attendant, C.
W. Moss (Michael J. Pollard) and Clyde's brother older brother Buck (Gene Hackman) and his wife, Blanche (Estelle Parsons). However, the law is soon after them, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (Denver Pyle), whom the crime gang had previously captured and humiliated.
It's an engaging and shocking crime drama, with Beatty and Dunaway are evil and dangerous but in a cool, calm way. It was nearly dumped on release, but Beatty threatened to sue Warner Bros. so they released it wide, and it was a world success as a result.
Oh, and look out for Gene Wilder, in his film debut.
This review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) was written by Stuart K on 19 Jun 2012.
Bonnie and Clyde has generally received very positive reviews.
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