review by Adam Cook Patron
The Untouchables 1987
Rewatched Jul 09, 2012
Adam Cook’s review:
It has been over ten years since I last watched De Palma’s Western inspired gangster movie and sadly time hasn’t been particularly kind to this so-called classic. Not that the film is bad, there are too many talented individuals involved for it to end up being a mess, but it also wastes and neuters their strengths.
Based on the ‘60s TV show, and playing very loose with historical facts, the film tells the story of Eliot Ness, his team of ‘untouchables’ and their quest to bring Al Capone to justice. As a slice of popcorn entertainment, The Untouchables is more than adequate, but given those involved there is the nagging feeling that this is a missed opportunity. Mamet’s script is infinitely quotable but it is a succession of one-liners lacking the rhythm and tension of his best dialogue. Those one-liners are admittedly very entertaining and frequently funny but it makes the film a hollow experience where the characters are too broad and bordering on caricatures (wasting Patricia Clarkson on a simpering role as the perfect wife is particularly disappointing).
Barring a few typical De Palma flourishes even the direction is rather flat. Perhaps unsurprisingly he is at his best when delivering the violence and staging the more elaborate set pieces. The most famous sequence, the Battleship Potemkin train station homage, is bordering on parody yet its overblown theatrics fits in well with the rather broad comicbook tone of the film. Sadly, Morricone’s score is largely forgettable when you compare it to his best work but at least the production design is impressive as is Burum’s cinematography.
The cast is a good mix of youth and experience with most delivering fine performances. Costner’s typically flat delivery works in the film’s favour as it fits his role as the overly earnest yet inexperienced Ness. Connery provides great Irish colour and whilst the role is a waste of De Niro’s talents (particularly in a decade where he delivered some of his finest performances) his pantomime villain is a joy to watch, even if he is only in it for a few minutes.
Although often cited as one of the decade’s best films, The Untouchables just can’t compete with the true greats of the period. Entertaining? Undoubtedly but this is not an untouchable classic (if you pardon the terrible pun).
I felt the same, I started watching it thinking it was going to be a dark crime thriller, in the end it just felt so broad and hollow, as you so rightly said.
Yeah, this is a mixed bag. It's so black vs. white that it's hardly engaging on any significant level beyond a beer and popcorn type movie. De Palma seemed to have very low aspirations, or maybe he wanted it to be a throwback to the gangster movies of the 30s and 40s? It's pretty goofy but it can be a good time. The famous scene is also classic De Palma wearing his inspirations on his sleeve, he doesn't really do anything creative with the scene, just copies it beat-by-beat...
It definitely has an old fashioned western film with the white hats vs black hats (even if the only character with a white hat is actually bad). I don't have a problem with the simplicity it just seems to be a waste of Mamet and the actors.
*feel, not film.
Again, we disagree. I haven't seen the film in a couple of years so I can't disagree with your specific points, as astute as they are, but I'm gonna disagree with your overall assessment of the film, and not for the first...or even fifth..time ;).
I think this film is fantastic and probably my favorite mob film. I haven't seen the Godfather trilogy in over ten years so that one is DQ'ed. So, that leaves this as my #1 mob film...I'm pretty sure..unless I'm forgetting another awesome film.
However, I will agree that DeNiro is hugely wasted here. Very much so.
Im interested....DePalma vs. DePalma. Scarface vs. The Untouchables, in terms of overall film quality and not just his direction. What say you Adam?
As soon as I saw your name come up as a reply I knew we'd disagree. :-p
As for Scarface vs The Untouchables: This is a much better film but I'm really not a fan of Scarface. In fact the only two De Palma films I do think are great are Blow Out and Carrie.
DePalma is incredibly hit or miss, and this certainly isn't up there with Blow Out or Carrie, but I cannot help but really enjoy this one. Sure, it's not doing anything new or revolutionary, but it's a fun potboiler and I can't fault it for that.
Though, I think your rating is a fair one (I might be inclined to go four stars). Not a bad film, but not a masterpiece. Just a good fun way to spend an evening.
And you're right. Scarface is garbage. Why people fawn over that thing I will never know.
Also: Connery. Come on! How can you not love him and his terrible irish accent!?
It is definitely fun, no doubt about that, just undeserving of its classic status (in my opinion, of course).
With you there Adam, aside from the brilliantly crafted tension in the first half of the train station sequence, there's nothing much here to make it any more than just a perfectly decent bit of fun. Certainly nowhere near greatest film ever material.