The Untouchables (1987)

Directed by Brian De Palma. Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy García, Robert De Niro, Billy Drago, Richard Bradford, Patricia Clarkson, Jack Kehoe. [R]

Chronicle of by-the-book Treasury agent Eliot Ness (Costner) and his crew of “untouchable” colleagues breaking up the criminal activities of Chicago kingpin Al Capone (De Niro) is bad history, and superficial as an exploration of departmental corruption and organized crime, but it’s dynamite entertainment, so who cares? In terms of writing and direction, style matters first and foremost, but economy and blunt force aren’t far behind—there are no wasted moments or excess verbosity, and the film rarely pauses for anything besides suspenseful build-ups and the occasional brief reminder of Ness’ domestic life (Clarkson goes underused as his all-too-patient wife). Although not as flashy as his sex-and-murder productions, De Palma again wields the camera like a showman of voluptuous virtuosity, and he delivers several indelible set pieces within the genre, the most famous of which is a train station shootout paying homage to Battleship Potemkin’s Odessa Steps montage. Top-notch cast fills their roles more than capably, whether with reserved earnestness (Costner), intimidating flamboyance (De Niro), rascally color (Oscar-winner Connery), nerdy enthusiasm (Smith), reptilian menace (Drago), or unflappable confidence (García). Outstanding score by Ennio Morricone ranks among the best of his legendary career. Written by David Mamet, inspired by Ness’ memoir; it bears as little resemblance to historical record as either of the same-named television series.

91/100