On U List of Movie Reviews
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The Untouchables (1987)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
1/04, 1/05, 3/08, 8/11, 7/20
3/08:
The Untouchables is a classic gangster picture that's richly defined by two unforgettable scenes.
However, I still can't get over the casting of Charles Martin Smith. It's like seeing Michael J. Fox in
Goodfellas.
What a mistake. At times, Kevin Costner looks somewhat overwhelmed to lead the picture but manages to pull through.
Believe it or not, The Untouchables is his first major film with a strong ensemble cast, and his success will
virtually solidify his A-list status going forward.
Andy Garcia isn't bad, but I wish he had more screen time. The man in white, Billy Drago is captivating as Frank Nitti,
making for a quintessential noir villain. Sean Connery's performance is absolutely overrated. I would've given the
Oscar to Robert De Niro instead considering how much work went into his hair, looks, and mannerism. Every scene he has is
priceless, so it's safe to say he stole the show.
The cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful, and none is better depicted than the Odessa Steps scene at the train station
which ought to be studied extensively in film schools. It's among the ten greatest scenes ever. Sad to say, whenever
From Here to Eternity is mentioned, all anyone can think of is the beach scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.
That's exactly what happened to The Untouchables which is the main reason I would see it over and over.
So, what else has been harmful? It's the poor character and plot developments. They don't feel deep enough, and without the
two famous scenes, one of them being De Niro's teamwork speech, the film doesn't have a whole lot going for it. Brian De
Palma may have been obsessed with the look most of the time.
All in all, despite the faults, The Untouchables is a classic gangster picture.
8/11:
Raising the bar higher in the gangster genre, The Untouchables is an exquisitely shot picture.
And of course, two key scenes are the main reasons for its high rewatchability factor. Also, a lot of it has to do with Kevin Costner,
Billy Drago, and Robert De Niro by giving excellent performances. Still, my biggest gripe is Sean Connery winning
the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. What he did is overrated.
As much as I liked Charles Martin Smith in American Graffiti, he doesn't belong in
The Untouchables, but Andy Garcia does and is intimidating in a sexy way. Hence, he'll go on to star opposite Michael Douglas in
Black Rain and Richard Gere in Internal Affairs
before landing the lead role for The Godfather Part III,
the biggest of his career. Hence, it's interesting to see Andy Garcia and Robert De Niro in the same film given their line
of succession in the Corleone family.
All in all, whenever The Untouchables comes to my mind, I think of the two unforgettable scenes.
7/20:
Brian De Palma is the master of the shot.
The Odessa Steps scene is brilliantly filmed. So are the performances by a stellar ensemble cast, most especially
Robert De Niro. The casting of Charles Martin Smith still throws me off, so...whatever. When I see fancy costumes, they should
either be part of the scenery or add more to the film but never be the distraction. Therefore, I'm happy to say
The Untouchables passes the test, hence the much-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design.
All in all, The Untouchables scores high in replayability.