Grand and Stylish Entertainment

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2008)

Grand and stylish is the only way to describe this rewriting of the legend of Elliott Ness from director Brian De Palma. Many complained of "The Untouchables" lack of historic accuracy, and even of its dissimilarity to the Robert Stack t.v. series. All I can say is thank goodness on both counts. De Palma's film is a work of fiction, a piece of entertainment in every sense of the word.
The excellence is evident from the ground up, starting with the gorgeous costumes from the classy menswear outfit, Georgio Armani. Art Direction is out of this world (William A. Elliott), recreating Prohibition era Chicago with grand assuredness, using the actual streets and settings. All those model-T's look great. Cinematographer Stephen H. Burum has a field day capturing the lavish sets (Capone's hotel suite, the specially washed Chicago streets). His work, during sequences such as the Canadian border raid and the train station shoot out, is spectacular. Burum also cleverly makes use of the fantastic architecture in several scenes by filming from the ground looking up. This also makes the characters appear larger than life.
Ennio Morricone's score is one of the best I've ever heard. The commanding "Strength of the Righteous (Main Title)" draws out the suspense dramatically, the "Death Theme" is tragically poignant, his "Machine Gun Lullaby" is a melodic work of genius and the "End Title" is one of the most rousing themes ever composed.
Screenwriter David Mamet has provided an exciting story, varied (likeable and loathsome) characters, and he dresses it all with sharp, incisive, biting and all together entertaining dialogue. Grand and stylish acting brings Mamet's characters to life. Costner solidly portrays the beyond reproach law man who allows himself to become corruptible in order to do justice. Good too is Andy Garcia as the rookie prodigy Stone, who joins the team in pursuit of Capone. Out shining these two easily are Sean Connery as world weary Irish cop Malone, and Robert De Niro, mesmerising as the megalomaniacal gangster boss who has a special speech for all occasions. When words fail though, look out. Charles Martin Smith comes close to these two as Oscar Wallace, the rather enthusiastic accountant who sets up the case against Capone.
De Palma shapes all the above into a film that is dramatic, tense, forceful, funny and tragic all at once. Coupled with this are the movie's numerous scenes of power, the train station and the gangster banquet being just two. Truly every scene has a measured impact, thanks to Mamet's amazing scripting. "The Untouchables" is a real victory for De Palma, Mamet, Connery, De Niro and a host of technical professionals.
Monday, July 7, 1997 - Astor Theatre
I know I always open by calling this film grand, but that's what it is. From William A. Elliot's awesome sets, the superb costumes, Stephen H. Burum's classy cinematography and even Ennio Morricone's music (the best theme ever written for a movie), the whole picture is dripping with style.
De Palma directs with a flair and purpose that he's never really shown before or since, while the perfect cast have a field day with David Mamet's razor sharp script. Costner is the epitome of incorruptible law, Andy Garcia and Charles Martin Smith great value as a sharp-shooter and a dedicated accountant respectively. It I s scene-chewers Sean Connery and Robert De Niro who put the icing on the cake though. Connery's world-weary Irish cop won him a deserved Oscar, while De Niro is at his chilling best bringing Al Capone to life. The pair gobble up scene after scene, and it's a good thing they don't appear together (save for a brief moment). Who would cope?! See it at the movies!
Saturday, June 20, 1998 - Video