Review of The Untouchables (1987) by Francesco R — 30 Jan 2011

Prohibition era Chicago and Treasury Officer, Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) has been brought in to stop the flow of illegal liquor and bring down mob boss, Al Capone (Robert De Niro).

Following a failed liquor bust as a result of a leak to Capone, Ness decides to shun the majority of the local Police force due to it's corruption and set up a small taskforce designed to take the fight to Capone. Along with Ness, Treasury accountant Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), rookie cop George Stone (Andy Garcia) and seasoned veteran Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) become that team.

After a raid on a warehouse and refusing a mob payoff, Ness and his team become the stuff of legends... they become known as The Untouchables.

Brian DePalma's film is both beautiful and brutal at the same time, perfectly summed up in the scene where Capone bludgeons one of his lieutenants with a baseball bat - whilst the act itself is brutal, the cinematography makes it a beautifully crafted scene to watch.

The script by David Mamet is also a contibuting factor behind the success of this film. Whilst this is, in essence, a stand up fight between the highly moral Ness and the criminal, violent backdrop of Capone's world, it is also a film where differing sides of human nature are shown in both protagonist and antagonist - Ness becomes more violent in the course of his duty whilst Capone has to show a charming face to the media to cover his violent side.

Those of you who know me by now know that I'm a sucker for a great soundtrack. Whilst Ennio Morricone is rightfully acknowledged as the man who popularised the score for "Spaghetti Westerns", the score for this film, along with his score for Cinema Paradiso, is beautiful and perfectly captures the style and mood of the film.

Costner is the perfect fit as Ness and pitches his portrayal as that of a man who is determined to carry out his task and, after some initial reluctance, will use any means necessary to achieve his goal.

Sean Connery is well deserving of his Oscar in the role of Malone, Ness' mentor and friend. Connery portrays a man who lives to his own code of honour in a police department which, on the main has lost it's honour. The character is wise, funny and a touching study in friendship alongside it being brutal and uncompromising.

Rounding out "The Untouchables" are Charles Martin Smith who has some comedic moments as bookish accountant cum novice gun toting law enforcer, Oscar Wallace, and an understated yet magnetic performance by Andy Garcia as the sharp-shooting Stone.

Ultimately though, the plaudits should really be for Robert De Niro in the role of Capone. His performance is multi faceted where in one moment you can can have the charm, humour and even warmth as Capone only for it to change direction in a heartbeat and become violent and brutal.

If you have not seen this film before, please give it a go. Whilst being larger than life, it also has room to tell a story about the importance of friendships.