The Untouchables (Brian De Palma, 1987, USA)

One of Brian De Palma's commercial behemoths (alongside Mission: Impossible), The Untouchables is certainly one of the director's most well-known works, and also one of his films with the broadest appeal. While De Palma's career often switched between personal projects and studio projects (one for me, one for them), The Untouchables still undeniably feels like a De Palma film - stylish and violent in equal measure. While perhaps some of his most intense formal flourishes are more muted here, in certain instances they are undeniable (the stair sequence - a homage to Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin - comes to mind).

The film is a true powerhouse ensemble - from the cast (Robert DeNiro, Sean Connery, and - new to the scene - Kevin Costner), to the music (Ennio Morricone's beautiful score), to the writing itself (David Mamet). The end result is a film that is firing on all cylinders. Historical accuracy be damned, The Untouchables is relentlessly entertaining and also beautifully shot, with some almost Western elements (shot in Canada). It is easy to see why Costner became a star after his turn as Eliot Ness - his boyish charm is on display here.

The Untouchables was a commercial and critical success, bringing De Palma's into Hollywood's good graces. Of particular acclaim was Sean Connery's performance as Malone (though he doesn't shed his Scottish accent to play this Irishman). Connery even went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The Untouchables might be the best film to introduce a non-De Palma person to his filmography. In a career filled with ups and downs, it is certainly one of the auteur's most satisfying works and one with a deep cultural resonance. It is surprising that it was never successfully remade or rebooted - one could easily see this story working in today's environment.

8/10