‘AL CAPONE. He rules Chicago with absolute power. No one could touch him. No one could stop him. Until Eliot Ness and a small force of men swore they’d bring him down.’

Directed by:
Brian De Palma

Written by:
Oscar Fraley (book)
Eliot Ness (book)
David Mamet (screenplay)

Cast:
Kevin Costner (Eliot Ness), Sean Connery (Jim Malone), Charles Martin Smith (Oscar Wallace), Andy Garcia (George Stone), Robert De Niro (Al Capone), Richard Bradford (Police Chief Mike Dorsett), Jack Kehoe (Walter Payne), Brad Sullivan (George), Billy Drago (Frank Nitti), Patricia Clarkson (Catherine Ness)

Chicago in the 1930’s was a very dangerous place. This was mainly the result of the Volstead Act that reinforced the prohibition of alcohol and allowed such gang lords as Al Capone to literally make a killing. The story of treasury officer Eliot Ness and his squad of untouchables had already been told in the classic television show from the sixties, but director Brian De Palma figured it was time for a movie update. And boy was he right…

The Untouchables just radiates class throughout its running time. The first masterful scene occurs when a newspaper gets delivered in Al Capone’s hotel bedroom. The camera sways from the street, through the hotel and into Capone’s bedroom where the larger-than-life gangster is smoking a massive cigar in bed and laughs at the newspaper’s headline: ‘Crusader cop busts out’. Ennio Morricone composed a very cool piece of music for this scene.

The newspaper is referring to Eliot Ness’ first failure to confiscate Capone’s booze. Ness (Kevin Costner) is determined to bring Capone down, but he doesn’t know how to do it. Irish street cop Jim Malone (Sean Connery) suggests a more unorthodox approach to get it done.

Malone is hesitant at first to join Ness’ team, but gradually evolves into a true fighter. A very impressive and Oscar winning performance by Sean Connery. Andy Garcia and Charles Martin Smith are in equally fine shape. They portray the other members of Ness’ squad. Garcia as the hot-headed, but talented rookie cop George Stone and Smith as a public accountant, whose ideas about income tax evasion would eventually lead to Capone’s downfall.

Costner as the leading man was also the perfect choice. Although he can’t get rid of his goodie goodie two shoes image, despite the violent acts he eventually commits in the film, he is still an inspiring person to watch. He even managed to touch me in the heart one or two times.

Of course, De Niro is once again the show stealer. His method acting really works at its best in The Untouchables. In fact, it works so well that I totally forgot I was watching De Niro: I was watching Al Capone. His character is what he’s supposed to be: an extremely dominant and intimidating personality. In a famous scene based on a true incident, Capone demonstrates his powers. During a black tie dinner with all his cronies, he shockingly beats one of them to death with a baseball bat.

The violence described above is characterising for De Palma’s approach in making this film. Brains are painting the ceiling on more than one occasion. The brutality is justified though as it really helps to better understand Ness’ determination to get the job done. Drinking may be innocent, but when you touch a man’s family, his friends and innocents in general, it is very understandable that he is driven to despair and acts of brutal violence.

De Palma’s direction on this movie is flawless. His trademark suspense is evident from the credit sequence on, up until the amazing train station shoot-out at the end. Every scene in The Untouchables is just perfect in setting, rhythm, composition and acting. He has made a timeless film that deserves to be celebrated a lot more than it currently is.

Rating:

Quote:
AL CAPONE: “I want this man DEAD! I want his family DEAD! I want his house burnt to the ground. I wanna go there in the middle of the night and I wanna piss on his ashes!”

Trivia:
Robert De Niro tracked down Al Capone’s original tailors and had them make him some identical clothing for the movie. He also insisted on wearing the same style of silk underwear that the real Capone wore.