Bonnie and Clyde is a conventional American crime movie about the famous criminal duo, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

My introduction to this movie started as most do, with the trailer to the film. It was a fun trailer but made me wonder if I take these sorts of exciting trailers for granted. For instance, Quentin Tarantino’s trailer for Kill Bill is very similar but how many films during 1967 showed this kind of excitement? It depicts a similar joyousness with music and colors in the face of violence and destruction. The style is so similar and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a great influence on Tarantino. There is clearly a lightness they’re trying to communicate through the dark subject matter.

This movie story is of significance historical importance as people reference it often. Why would people be so infatuated with a criminal pair?

First of all, an important thing to note is that this type of movie was one of a kind. It shines a warm light on cop-killing, thieving, murdering, criminals. About 46 minutes into the film, we see the gang: Bonnie, Clyde, and Buck wielding automatic weapons towards law enforcement. It was one of the most exciting scenes in the film and I imagine it stood in stark contrast to the movies of its time.

The film was entertaining, memorable, and exciting. It’s really no wonder it remains one of the classics. At the same time, I must agree with the ever-wise Roger Ebert who reviewed, “It is also pitilessly cruel, filled with sympathy, nauseating, funny, heartbreaking, and astonishingly beautiful”. The movie’s violence makes enjoying it so much a curious thing.

The New Yorker’s piece called The Frightening Power of Bonnie and Clyde, “If the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow seemed almost from the start, and even to them while they were living it, to be the material of legend, it’s because robbers who are loyal to each other—like the James brothers—are a grade up from garden-variety robbers, and if they’re male and female partners in crime and young and attractive they’re a rare breed. The Barrow gang had both family loyalty and sex appeal working for their legend”. I must say this is spot on. This is the major appeal of Bonnie and Clyde and their charism ushered in new opportunities in film.

Another aspect of historical relevance is that Bonnie and Clyde were essentially robbing the poor who were suffering through devastation because of The Great Depression. Throughout the film, there is evidence of national destitution. This was beautifully depicted in the dried up farm fields as well as the great disparity between the wealthy and the poor with little in between. The movie does a great job of keeping that muted which contributes to its success. The hardships of The Great Depression were trying time for America and maybe that is the root of their indiscretions. At any rate, Americans have a love affair stories that show great determination in people. At the root of it all, Bonnie and Clyde always talked about having more. Above wanting anything at all, they wanted each other and time and time again, Clyde and Bonnie protected each other above all else. Illustrated best by the shootout scene nearly an hour and a half into the film. I noticed that even though Bonnie was shot and Clyde moved away from her to steal a car, she did not need to wonder where he went. She simply knew he was looking out for her best interest.

I think this movie is relatable because of Bonnie and Clyde’s ambition. Mostly because of their ambition for love as well. I think a lot of people can relate to wanting to move their situation forward as he describes in the film, especially after finding the love of your life. Clyde seeks the best that he can no matter what but is still loose and somehow easy going. At times he even seems like he is talking about a future he knows he will not meet but he is not bothered by it. A great example of this is when Clyde and Bonnie meet Bonnie’s mother. He is talking about how they will settle down and even Bonnie’s mother realizes that it is ridiculous to think they could ever imagine a normal life. He said this to put her at ease and it didn’t work. He is the embodiment of the saying “means to an end” because no matter what he does, he remains charming and cool as long as he gets his way.

Overall, the film opens up some great discussion. It is not without heartbreak as we experience the death of public servants, Buck, Bonnie, and Clyde among others. It broke barriers in terms of expressing a story with authenticity and charm.