Review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) by Mary S — 05 Apr 2009

One of the major landmarks of American cinema, and an absolute masterpiece on its own. Penn astounded audiences and critics alike when he proved that gratuitous violence could accompany warm humor and heart; audiences were ready to accept this- critics found this change in pace sloppy and heartless.

This juxtaposition was- and is- a hard one to swallow, and the violent images get their real force from the sheer optimism of the couple's dreams of success. As criminals, they seem as harmless as kids; Bonnie and Clyde rop and kill almost as if life were a game, but among the Depression this behavior seems almost natural and eerily justifiable.

This cast is stacked. Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty *are* Bonnie and Clyde, and there is never a moment's doubt that the two are mad about each other. Hackman and Wilder each give phenominal support.

Of course, law must prevail- but unlike the triumphant killing of Scarface or Tom Powers, there is no glory to the end of these two lovers; instead there is a cold emptiness against the warm and sunny mise-en-scene, a sincere feeling of loss which most modern films seem devoid of.