Nominated in: 1968
Did it win? No
Worth watching? Yes
Standout performance: Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow
Watchfl’s favorite quote: “You’ve heard the story of Jesse James, of how he lived and died. If you’re still in need of something to read, here’s the story of Bonnie and Clyde.” – Bonnie Parker
Bonnie and Clyde was a hugely celebrated film; nearly everyone involved was nominated for an Oscar. Most of the recognition was warranted. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway have individual screen presence and great chemistry together as Bonnie and Clyde. The script is good and the direction and cinematography are even better. In fact, watching Bonnie and Clyde feels a little bit like a lesson in Film 101.
The movie is based on the true story of the romantically involved anti-heroes who robbed a string of banks during the Great Depression. Bonnie and Clyde were romanticized back then just as they are in the film, and Beatty and Dunaway feel perfectly cast for the purpose of making the characters appear sympathetic, hapless, and even strangely innocent.
Beatty was more than just a good young actor – he produced the film, contributed to the script without screen credit and managed most of the casting.
Bonnie and Clyde was one of the films that marked the beginning of the New Hollywood area, pushing the boundaries of content and style. It feels transitional watching it, and the other 1968 nominees, In the Heat of the Night, The Graduate, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, illustrate the movement even more clearly.
3 Comments
April 8, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Gotta give it to ya watchfl. You are right on with this one and very insighful on Hwood’s transitional period.
Hard for me though to “feel the love” as they are going from town to town in such a shoot em up, cold blooded way. Is it just me?
April 8, 2009 at 10:10 pm
How did you feel about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?
April 23, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Far less dead bodies and blood in that one. Recall the episode with ” Woodstock”, I think his name was. B&S practically begged him to open the doors so as not to hurt him.
Don’t see that kind of mercy coming from the lovebirds, B&C, do you?
Watchin’ Watchfl