DEPALMA AT HIS PEAK The Untouchables (1987) ***

Director Brian De Palm seems to have no middle range. This is him at his most over-the-top and yet it still manages to work. The Untouchables (1987) has a young and unseasoned Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner) 1987) as he takes on Al Capone (Robert De Niro) in 1920s America. Tutored on the "Chicago Way" by Malone (Sean Connery), Ness makes numerous mistakes in strategy and tactics before gaining the upperhand in battling Capone. The only complaint is that this is a bit of false advertising since DeNiro really is around for a very small amount of time. On the other hand, his performance is to self-consciously stylistic perhaps this is a good thing. Not historically accurate by far. But as an exercise in filmmaking, well worth seeing and enjoying.