Bonnie and Clyde

This is the last movie we will watch in the 1960s. Bonnie and Clyde is the true story of a couple who robbed banks during the Great Depression. "Times is hard" and Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker turn to burglary in order to make ends meet. Bonnie Parker is played by the (strangely) beautiful Faye Dunaway (who is less weird looking in this film than in Chinatown) and Warren Beatty plays Clyde Barrow.

Emily: This movie focuses a lot on the relationship between Bonnie and Clyde but it also serves as a metaphor for tensions in American society during the Great Depression paralleled with those of the 1960's. For instance, in one scene the boy Bonnie and Clyde use as their getaway driver, C.W. Moss, goes home to his father with a tattoo on his chest and the father freaks out. Also the fact that Bonnie and Clyde rob banks but don't bother hardworking farmers makes them into folk heroes in Texas and the surrounding states. Akin to Jesse James' notoriety in Missouri.

Kamala: We wanted to close out the 1960's with Bonnie and Clyde because it is considered to be the first "new hollywood" film. It was produced through Seven Arts, a small studio that, in 1967, was incorporated into Warner Brothers. This film broke boundaries with its graphic portrayal of gun violence. However, there is no sex. This film, along with Easy Rider, ushered in the new generation of directors that dominated the 1970s, about whom I will be harping a lot over the next week.

Emily: This movie is also not-so-secretly about erectile dysfunction/ Clyde's psychosexual hang-ups. He picks up Bonnie because she catches him trying to steal her mother's car. About three minutes later they are driving off together and Clyde is telling her about all the adventures they're going to have. It is a speedy romance, but they don't physically consummate their relationship until about ten minutes before the end of the movie. Clyde keeps saying he is "not a loverboy." The most uncomfortable not-sex scene in cinematic history is probably the one where Faye Dunaway is ready to go and scooching closer to Warren Beatty and he rolls over and violently pushes her away. She starts crying. Kamala suspects Clyde is a virgin.

Kamala: He's so proud of himself when they finally consummate their union. The camera focuses on two frolicking pieces of newspaper dancing in the wind.

Emily: Another mystery that's nagging at me has to do with the scene when the Barrow gang picks up a hilarious Gene Wilder and his lady friend. When Bonnie finds out he's an undertaker she gets all stony faced and orders him out of the car. It's bizzare. Gene Wilder acts the same in like every movie he's ever been in but it works so I'm not complaining. Faye Dunaway is excellent, as is Gene Hackman as Clyde's brother Buck. The credits were also very well done. I usually don't notice credits but these were very creative.

Kamala: I think JD and Elliot really love each other but can never be together.

Emily: We're talking about Bonnie and Clyde now, Kamala.

Kamala: ...Warren Beatty is hot.