Friday 10 December 2021

Bonnie & Clyde (2013)

 



Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were an American criminal couple who travelled the central United States with their gang during the Great Depression.  They were known for their bank robberies, although they preferred to rob small stores or rural funeral homes. Their exploits, during which they are believed to have killed at least nine police officers and four civilians, garnered considerable attention from the press between 1931 and 1934.  They were ultimately gunned down by a police ambush.

The most famous cinematic adaptation of Bonnie & Clyde's story is the 1967 film with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.  This 2013 miniseries is not likely to threaten its status.  It has a capable cast and it is relatively engaging, but it plays very fast and loose with the historical facts, up to and including hints that Clyde had precognitive visions of his own death.  I could forgive that if I felt the fabrications and hints of psychic powers actually enhanced the story, but - with one exception - I'm not sure they do.  

In my opinion, the script also struggles with pacing.  While there's enough content in Clyde and Bonnie's story to fill the roughly 3 hour run-time, the opening hour or so here is a bit lethargic in its progress.  The opening scene has good impact, but then things shift into low gear and stay there for a while.  I get the need to take a breath after the "bam!" start, but I think that it takes rather too long to get moving again.

On the plus side, the production values are good, and as mentioned the cast are all solid.  If you have an interest in the Bonnie and Clyde story, and go in aware of how fast and loose this plays with the facts, you may well enjoy it.

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