7. "Did He Sound Anything Like That?" The Untouchables (1987)
In gangster films, made men are always breaking each others balls, but they dont take cr*p from anyone else. The Mob runs the city, and theyre above the law. In these films, rarely do the police get a word in edgewise. But in The Untouchables (1987), Officer Eliot Ness finally responds after years of abuse and insults. Thats why this comeback line is so brilliant. In most Gangster films, we get the perspective of the bad guys. Sure, we root for the mobsters, but we know theyre not good people. In The Untouchables, however, we follow the police as they try to stop the infamous Al Capone. Eliot Ness and company try to uphold the alcohol ban, keeping the city as dry as can be so I guess we are still getting the perspective of the bad guys. What kind of twisted person bans alcohol? Regardless, this puts the police in a position to finally respond to the mobsters that have abused them in every other gangster film. Frank Nitti laughs at Ness, telling him he killed a cop that squealed like a pig. Of course, Nittis laughter soon turns into scream as Ness sends him over the edge of the building. And Ness delivers a punchline thats harder than the impact below. It took a while for the cops to be pushed over the edge, but they finally returned the favour.
I received my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Film Studies with Highest Honours at Carleton University. I've got an obsession with fiction that I'd love to share with the world; I hope you'll join me while I discuss the greatest or latest films and television shows. You can follow me on Twitter @AdaptedInAction to keep up with my articles.
