Review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) by Al M — 01 Jul 2011

A brilliant film which changed the face of American cinema.

I first saw Bonnie and Clyde when I was inappropriately young (probably five or six) and remember, among other things, being impressed at the beauty of the final scene.

I had been waiting for the last four or five years for an opportunity to take my daughter to see this on the big screen. That opportunity presented itself just last Sunday and I took my fifteen year old daughter to see Bonnie and Clyde on the big screen at the Portland Art Museum. The movie still lives up to my memories of it. What a great and ground breaking movie!

Immediately after the movie she commented that she wasn't sure why but the ending made her smile and feel happy.

I thought about that a bit.

SPOILER WARNING FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE.

I think it could be because Bonnie and Clyde died at exactly the right time in their lives (at least in the cinematic version of their lives). They were finally close both physically and (as much as possible) emotionally. Bonnie's poem about their lives had just been published, Clyde confirmed that it perfectly told his story, they shared an intimate afternoon. Their lives had nowhere to go but down.

The poem ended:

"Some day they'll go down together.

They'll bury them side by side.

To few it'll be grief,.

To the law a relief.

But it's death for Bonnie and Clyde.".

Shortly thereafter the movie fulfilled the ending they dreamed for themselves - thus the happy feeling my daughter experienced.