The Untouchables -- Review
Near-perfect tale of good versus evil in 1930s Chicago
Everything seems to align with The Untouchables -- fine direction by Brian De Palma, an ace script by David Mamet, and a five-star cast -- to make this a must-see classic
While The Untouchables might not be as bloody and brawny as other action movies, it's still a thrilling look at the feds versus the mob in 1930s Prohibition-era Chicago. This 1987 movie is a brilliant blend of action, drama and suspense and deserves to be near the top of an all-time great movie list.
The Untouchables Brilliantly Tells The Story Of The Mob In 1930s Chicago
The movie dramatizes the battle between federal agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) and mobster Al Capone (Robert De Niro), with the lawman so outraged with the violence that Capone inflicts on the Windy City that he's determined to do anything he can to bring the gangster down.
Over a tight 119 minutes, the movie follows Ness as he crusades with his hand-picked team of honest officers -- known as “the untouchables” because they were immune to bribes from the mob -- to capture the bootleggers and restore law and order to the chaotic streets.
Directed with skill by Brian De Palma, the movie is a perfectly paced and fascinating look at the slightly fictionalized exploits of Ness and his men. Costner brings a perfect do-gooder's innocence to the lead role, and ultimately has to rely on the grizzled old cop Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) for help in finding the strength to do what's necessary to bring an end to mob rule.
Sean Connery, Kevin Costner And The Rest Of The Cast Excel In The Untouchables
Connery is spot-on with his blunt portrayal of Malone as a policeman with honorable intentions that have become dulled in the belief he's powerless against Capone. But when Ness and Capone team up, they find in each other the spirit for launching their fight against the gangster's empire.
The start of the movie focuses on Ness as he works with Malone to put together a team of trusted men. Adding to the excellent acting on offer are Charles Martin Smith as the bookworm tax agent Oscar Wallace and Andy Garcia as the up-and-coming officer George Stone. Combined, the foursome put in incredibly winning performances that make each member of the team engaging.
That's not to say Capone is without charisma in this movie. In fact, one of the things De Palma and screenwriter David Mamet do best here is to show the powerful hold that the gangster had over Chicago. From judges to the media, everyone can be bought, as one character says.
The Untouchables Is A Great Action Movie On All Counts
The dialog also sparkles and each role gets a distinctive voice, just as expected with Mamet writing the script. There are so many memorable lines, there isn't room to quote them.
While it's not an action movie involving exploding buildings or awesome machinery, there are also still several well done set pieces -- the thrill of Ness and his men on horseback in a raid on an illegal shipment of booze coming into the United States from Canada, the suspense of Ness' first raid on a warehouse in a dark and dangerous part of town, and a climactic battle in a Chicago train station that's better left unspoiled.
Overall this is a tremendous movie that never gets dull. For anyone who wants to know what classy action movie making is all about, this is a strong example.
In recent years there has been talk of De Palma helming a prequel known as Capone Rising that would focus on the early years of Capone and Malone. Will it be as good as the original? Considering how great the first one was, a prequel has a lot to live up to.
