The Untouchables (1987)

Directed By - Brian De Palma

Starring - Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, 

Charles Martin Smith, Patricia Clarkson

For a crime- drama in Hollywood, you would generally see people like Al Pacino and Tommy lee Jones being cast, but Brian De Palma pulls this one off with a very unconventional cast ( how many times have you seen Costner and Connery featured in one !) . Set in the 1930's Palma's film talk about the prohibition era in USA. A time when liquor manufacture and sale was banned and bootlegging became a popular business , A time when this illegal empire was ruled by a certain man known as Al Capone ( played by De Niro) and how a group of "Handpicked Cops" known popularly as The Untouchables ( due to their absolute loyalty to the force) brings him down.Written like a fast paced thriller , this film has everything, A well known criminal, mapped out plot and that golden touch of Brian De Palma. . The biggest USP of the film is its plot and screenplay. The scenes are well fleshed out, right from the selection of the team to Capone's execution everything is paced well and does not bore for a single moment. The film also has its "edge of the seat " moments, notice the scene where Costner and Garcia are out to arrest one of the key men in Capone's regime in a railway station (a reference to the famous Odessa Steps sequence), De Palma sure has a way with shooting such bloodbath sequences in railway stations (which he would later repeat in Carlito's Way) pure class!. But personally my favorite scene in the film is when Costner throws one of Capone's men from the roof of a building. There is absolutely no build up in that scene and its so sudden that it amazes you. Of the cast Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness ( the person who actually convicted Capone) puts in a stellar act as the cop with high virtues who has to finally bend his ideologies for greater good. The scene where he shoots down one of the gangsters against his will shows exactly why Costner is considered an actor of high caliber. Andy Garcia as the Italian- American George Stone is understated and raw  (he is the expert shooter in the team) . As the young protege turned celebrated cop Garcia puts in the correct dose of awe and excitement needed to play a rookie cop. Charles Martin Smith in a bit role shines as Oscar Wallace the man who gives the team the needed loophole to get Capone behind bars. Robert De Niro plays the Larger than life gangster with ease. Capone, as is widely known, was a very flamboyant and glamorous person. De Niro brings out the cold bloodedness as well as the flamboyant side of the dreaded gangster with panache. But the star act of the film comes from Sean Connery. Playing the veteran cop Jimmy Malone who has the experience and skill needed to run such a team, Connery dives into his character so much so that he even gets the Irish accent spot on.The scene where his character is shot at and subsequently dies demand's respect. Hats off to "Mr Bond" for a bold performance such as this. the Academy Award ( for best supporting which Connery won for this film) was well deserved . In the end 'The Untouchables' is great cinema mainly for 4 reasons - Brian De Palma's powerful direction, a brilliantly put together backdrop , some charming performances from the actors and Sean Connery's Jimmy Malone      

Rating - 9.0/10