Bonnie and Clyde
Monday, 12 March 2007
Filed in: AFI 100, IMDb 250, Resolutions, Reviews
Bonnie and Clyde (1967, Arthur Penn)
What struck me straight away was how similar this was, in many ways, to one of my favourite movies — Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This was made two years prior to Butch, and I would feel certain saying that George Roy Hill took some inspiration from Penn.
That brings me to one problem I had with this movie, and my biggest disappointment. Unlike Butch, it just wasn’t as much fun as I’d hoped. While certainly entertaining, I felt it was a little bit flat, and while occassionally funny, it’s also a bit dull, and I never felt it hit its stride properly.
I felt the story meandered a little bit in places, and nothing really happens until the final reel. By far the best scene of the movie is the very end. It’s edited brilliantly, and is very violent even by today’s standards. And speaking of inspiration, that scene has to have been the blueprint for Sonny’s death in The Godfather.
As for the acting, most of it is solid. I was never a huge fan of either Warren Beatty or Faye Dunaway, but they do well with these roles. Gene Hackman turns in a fun performance as Clyde’s brother, but his wife — played by Oscar-winning Estelle Parsons — was mostly annoying.
My good friend José would also like me to mention how awkward Gene Wilder is in his small role. While I certainly agree (he is rather stiff), I feel I should point out this was his first feature role (and as such certainly a good project to be involved with) so I think we can cut him some slack.
As a milestone, this is certainly worth checking out. It didn’t blow me away as I had hoped, but there is some solid fun to be had, and the final scene alone is well worth your time.
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Tuesday, 20 March 2007 at 16:42
I meant awkward in a good way.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007 at 18:06
How can you be awkward in a good way? Unless you mean he was funny, in which case I disagree. I thought that whole bit was pointless and stupid, and I can’t honestly see why it was left in the movie.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007 at 01:08
I meant it like “Whoa, I had no idea Gene Wilder was in this movie. Look, he’s so awkward. Awesome.”
Sorry, I need sleep.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007 at 08:00
Tuesday, 27 March 2007 at 20:01
I was okay with Wilder for the little bit he was in it. His character was in a sense kidnapped by the Barrow gang so being awkward is understandable. I agree that at times it was pretty slow. And I don’t understand why “We rob banks.” is such a big memorable movie quote.
Tuesday, 27 March 2007 at 20:15
I was fine with him too, I just didn’t like that scene. Felt too… fluffy.
And I don’t understand the love that quote gets either.