No Nonsense Prohibition...De Palma..De Niro..De Very Good

Rating: 9/10 (21 April 2012)

It is extraordinary how many professional movie reviewers didn't "get" this movie. This was never meant to be a blow by blow account about what really happened in 1930 during prohibition. This is a stylized depiction of what happened. Its made to be entertaining and commercial...and to make money. It is entertaining ...and it was a huge commercial money maker. The movie is directed really well by Brian De Palma. The script by David Mamet is great. The acting is way above average. Even the normally wooden Kevin Costner, playing Elliot Ness is O.K. Sean Connery deservedly won an Oscar for his great portrayal of Malone. Robert De Niro has a lot of fun --as Capone. The violence is over the top at times, but this is fundamentally an exercise in pleasing the public....filling cinemas. I was entertained by this excellent movie. Sometimes commercial art is valuable. (Andy Warhol)