Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway |
BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967). Director: Arthur Penn.
Bonnie and Clyde go on a crime spree robbing banks in the 1930's and become folk heroes to part of the population, but their days are numbered. This film was quite polarizing when it first came out, with some finding it slick and cinematic; others repellent and empty -- both viewpoints have validity. Warren Beatty [Splendor in the Grass] isn't bad as Clyde Barrow, the leader of a group of depression-era bank robbers, but he's never quite believable, either. The same could be said of Faye Dunaway [Mommie Dearest] as Bonnie Parker, although she certainly demonstrates star-making vitality. The trouble with both of the leads is that they never seem quite as stupid as the people they're playing. Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons and Michael J. Pollard as relatives and fellow gang members are perhaps more on the mark.
Estelle Parsons and Gene Hackman |
Verdict: Okay, but maybe watch Little Caesar instead. **1/2.
2 comments:
I tend to agree with you about this one, Bill, this movie lacks something. I am a huge fan of both Dunaway and Beatty, and it is a stylish production but lacking depth. Estelle Parsons steals the film, she is an incredible actor. My favorite performances of parsons are as the bitchy sister In law of Barbra Streisand in For Pete’s Sake and as Betty Hill the UFO abductee alongside James Earl Jones!
- Chris
I've got to look for those performances as I admire Parsons as well, and you're right that she steals the movie. One of those always-reliable actors who add so much to every production!
As for B & C, I don't think anyone involved in the movie was looking for depth, LOL.
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