Movie Review: Bonnie and Clyde

Not only does Bonnie and Clyde deserve recognition for its pivotal role in the progression of violence in films, but it is also an epic anti-hero love story. Despite the unforgettable team's bearings being on the wrong side of the law, they are the heroes of the film, portrayed as regular people full of emotions and life. The quality and wonder of the film is often overshadowed by its incredibly violent and famous conclusion, but the character development for Bonnie, Clyde and the supporting members of the Barrow Gang are nothing short of perfection.

1931 Texas is the start of a career in crime for Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty), fresh out of prison for armed robbery, and Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway), a waitress who yearns for adventure. The two create a captivating team, and set out to strike it rich. They are not inveterate criminals, but fail to see the harm in their actions - and so Bonnie and Clyde rob banks, grocery stores and steal cars - anything to get from one place to another with not a care in the world. Soon they recruit the help of amateur mechanic and driver C.W. Moss (Michael Pollard), who also seeks adventure, and shortly afterward, they unintentionally involve Clyde's brother Buck (Gene Hackman) and his wife Blanche (Estelle Parsons).

Bonnie and Clyde can't seem to understand why people want to kill them; after all, they're simply stealing their money - not trying to hurt anyone. Their perception of crime is completely dissimilar to the law, and they are therefore unable to comprehend the inevitable retaliation wrought by their victims. Like Robin Hood, they only steal from the rich, but instead keep the loot for themselves. Bonnie eventually learns to regret her decisions, chiefly from the awakening disapproval of her mother, and from her constant nonreciprocal need of attention from Clyde. She realizes all too late that instead of going somewhere, they are endlessly caught up in just going. Barrow never figures that out, instead imagining that if he could do it all again, he'd rob banks in a smarter fashion.