As the film begins to roll a scene of a blonde flashing across the screen. She bangs her hand upon the headboard railing exhibiting bored anger. She is distracted by a stray parked car and a handsome man who happens to gaze up upon her bare beauty. This is the beginning of the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

“Bonnie and Clyde” is a 1967 production directed by Arthur Penn featuring Warren Betty and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. As a new and some call it a revolutionary film for it’s day it captured violence that was never before seen. This not only attracted viewers it also opened the eyes of the the film industry. Arthur Penn stated, “Every time you see somebody attempting violence, they go into the basic slow motion. Well, in American films at least, we did it first.” With this it helped emerge movies such as “Psycho.” Even as someone seeing the the movie comparing it to modern films I found myself shocked by the fast gun fire, realistic blood, and the experience of the horror the couple raised.

The couple Bonnie and Clyde in fact were known for their rampage through Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, New Mexico, and Arkansas. They traveled by stolen cars robbing about 15 banks, grocery stores and gas stations, and killing 15 people in their way. But as bad people they tried to avoid killing when they could. Instead they would capture someone then let them go. I find this to be very interesting because in the movie the couple captured a few people and enjoyed their company. They flaunted their life style but casually and not egotistical. Even though the movie glorifies that the couple did there is still the basic principle of who Bonnie and Clyde were. They clearly appreciated the company of strangers and wanted to make friends. Bonnie and Clyde connected as outcasts themselves. One of my favorite quotes is from the movie “Perks of Being a Wallflower” when Emma Watson says, “Welcome to the island of misfit toys.” Bonnie was a waitress who wanted more for her life than just the same old thing any young blonde does. Clyde was a complicated man who did not want to lead a life that was expected of him. Together the misfits became the notorious couple Bonnie and Clyde.

Recently I had watched the Netflix Original movie “The Highwaymen” which as also based on Bonnie and Clyde. However instead of romanticizing and creating incite upon their story the movie portrays the grim reality the two cast upon the South. To quote Netflix the film is about “Two steely former Texas Rangers are tasked with tracking and killing infamous criminals Bonnie and Clyde in this crime drama based on real events.” For someone who did not choose this film I recommend watching the two movies back to back. It is interesting to take on film which is supporting the couple and making you almost route for them as opposed to the other which has you supporting the rangers catching the criminals because they in fact did terrible things. The movie “Bonnie and Clyde” captured my attention right away from the opening scene to the end. One of my favorite parts of the movie was actually the ending how their unexpected death was so real. Before the couple goes off their accomplice says “You will never catch them.” But sure enough with the flight of birds and the dash of Henry Methvin’s father the wall of bullets ended their lives. The same scene is almost identically portrayed in “The Highwaymen.” The scene brings a sharp sense of reality on how badly they needed to be put to a stop.

As a film that was based on a series of events I would classify it as an unconventional film. You could argue that is it conventional because there is a a “plot” of Bonnie and Clyde meeting, having rising action, and the resolution being their deaths. Personally I believe that movies based on historical events are unconventional because no one knew in that period of time what was to happen next. There was no “conclusion” or happy ending showing what could be. Imagine from the rangers point of view how they had to follow Bonnie and Clyde’s steps through every twist and turn of their unlawful acts. An unconventional film shows what is unexpected. Guaranteed if one was to look at just to look at a mug shot of Clyde or a casual pose from Bonnie you would not suspect they could kill and rob the way they did.

“They’re young. They’re in love and they kill people.” These famous words incite your curiosity to watch the film “Bonnie and Clyde.” The couple not only were horrible rule breakers of their time but they did the unexpected. This movie makes their adventurous romance to be a break through in the action films of America. Just as classic as Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow and maybe just as memorable as them too is this feature production.