Review of The Untouchables (1987) by Paul B — 31 May 2011

The Al Capone story gets a proper mythic treatment in De Palma's tribute to the classic gangster film. De Niro plays the man as larger than life. If the real Capone wasn't much like this, it doesn't really matter; this is a highly entertaining example of "printing the legend.

" Even so, his performance pales in comparison with that of Sean Connery. As the wise, brutal, sardonic cop, Connery steals the show completely. This role was instrumental in establishing his post-007 persona, and probably ensured the extension of his career into the next decade.

He lifts the film up just at the moments when the story and other characters are incapable of doing so themselves. Also, of course, his mentoring of Ness drives the crucial change that helps bring the plot to its conclusion.

Costner, while being his usual bland self, does manage to show in subtle ways the disillusionment and toughening that he goes through. The supporting cast is good as well. This is a very effective period piece, transporting us back in time with its use of sets, clothing, and music.

The score by Morricone proves yet again why he's simply the best. The script carefully avoids saying anything for or against Prohibition, despite the apparent fact that without it, there wouldn't be an Al Capone.

Or at least it avoids it until the end, with one of my favorite closing lines in a movie. The line I refer to succinctly illustrates an important tenet of law enforcement: They didn't write the laws, but now that those laws are here, someone has to enforce them.

Morally dubious, sure, but would America function without such a principle?