Wow, so there IS another good Kevin Costner film

Rating: 7/10 (15 May 2004)

-A possible spoiler-
I thought that the only films featuring Kevin Costner I like would be `Bull Durham' and `JFK', but after (finally) seeing `The Untouchables' I can (finally) say that I've found another. This is a solid, though largely fictionalized account of the indictment of Al Capone (DeNiro) and the events leading up to it, headed by Eliot Ness (Costner). It is a compelling film, and is extremely well-paced. Though not in the `typical' De Palma style (unusual camera angles, point of view camera work, etc.) `The Untouchables' is slick and stylish with some great Chicago locations. I did, however see a couple of the little Alfred Hitchcock-esque touches he has given several of his films; most notably in the scene with the baby carriage in Union Station (similar to the Jimmy Stewart `falling scene' in `Rear Window'.)
I was surprised to see that David Mamet had written the screenplay because the script didn't have the regular Mamet `punch' to it, but I wouldn't call that a criticism as much as an observation. On the other hand, the musical score by Ennio Morricone is something to rave about  it helped to contribute intensity to some scenes and to express the strength of character that Ness and his `Untouchables' possess. `The Untouchables' is certainly not my favorite gangster film, but it is a solid one, and very entertaining.
--Shelly