Bonnie and Clyde

Arthur Penn, USA 1967, 111 mins

Based around the true story of the famous gangster duo, Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty's film (for although Arthur Penn directed it, it is definitely Beatty's film) opened new avenues in American film making. The swift changes of mood that define the film - startling violence is juxtaposed with slapstick style comedy - were unusual for a Hollywood movie. The characters and style struck a chord with the late 60s youth culture, turning it quickly into a cult film that, I think, still has much to offer when viewed today.

You probably know the basic story of Bonnie and Clyde: the two meet, fall in love and set off on a robbing and killing spree across 1930s depression struck Midwest. There ain't much more you need to know, although I hadn't realised that Bonnie and Clyde had three side-kicks (making up the Barrow Gang) who range in criminal compentency from pretty hopeless to downright useless. In fact, if the real Barrow Gang were quite so incompetent as they are depicted in this film it's a surprise they lasted as long as they did!

The entire cast of Bonnie and Clyde are excellent, with Beatty and Faye Dunaway leading the way in the title roles. Estelle Parsons manages to make Clyde's sister-in-law so annoying that you want to personally strangle her - a performance that won her a Best Supporting Oscar. Amusingly, Gene Wilder pops up in this, his first movie, as a mortician who is kidnapped by the Barrow Gang.

It could be said that this film suffers from being somewhat dated, although I would say this is mostly down to the suspiciously 60s style 30s costumes. That aside, this is undoubtedly a must-see film, with its zany style and banjo score, combined with an ending that, even in today's desensitised times, still shocks.

Review by Sarah Woolner
Taken from EUFS Programe Autumn 1999