Thursday, July 29, 2010

BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)

One of the most talked about films of 60’s Hollywood, loaded with striking dark humor, graphic violence and bold treatment which created much hue and cry at the time of its release. The film is loosely based on real life pair of 30s depression era of America discounting the romantic angles between lead pair. One has to watch it for shocking depiction of violence and the brilliant chemistry between Faye Dunaway in her debut act as Bonnie and Warren Beatty as Clyde. Considering her breakthrough film Dunaway is just awesome and strikingly bold in her performance. She’s undoubtedly one of the greatest blonde Hollywood actress of 70s. Gene Hackman is simply memorable in a short role for his “Don’t sell that cow” gag which he shared more than once on screen.

Director Arthur Penn romanticized the robbery in the first half as light hearted adventure especially when bunch of other three guys joined the team including Clyde’s brother and his nagging and yelling wife who later became a loose thread for the sniffing cop. But the fun is soon overshadowed by disturbing violence as cops secretly attacked them at night costing the life of Clyde’s brother and blinded his wife. The fate of lead pair soon resulted in grim and shocking finale when law ends their loose adventure. The influence of Godard’s early new wave films is clearly visible where style rules over plot. But Penn and Beatty made a groundbreaking film considering its time; made few years before 70’s great trendsetters Coppola and Scorsese. The last unexpected and unceasing gunfire shootout is great shocker even today and it surely influenced Coppola depicting the car shootout scene of ‘The Godfather’.

Ratings-8.5/10

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