One doesn't have to know every aspect of history to know that infamous gangster Al Capone is a fascinating character to explore. He has been put on screen several times, including Ben Gazzara's portrayal in the 1975 film "Capone" and Robert DeNiro's supporting performance in 1987's "The Untouchables," and now he's getting a different treatment in Josh Trank's "Capone." The movie aims to get inside the head of the larger-than-life figure, which is commendable, but the results are often hit-or-miss.
"Capone" opens with a title card explaining one of the most interesting pieces of the crime boss's legacy: despite all the crime he was linked to, Capone was arrested for tax evasion. After spending 10 years in prison, Capone (played here by Tom Hardy) begins living the rest of his life in a palatial estate in Florida, under government watch, where he is cared for by his wife Mae (Linda Cardellini), and a host of others. Capone is suffering from neurosyphilis, which has caused him to envision things that aren't there and has heightened his increased paranoia. It's imperative that eyes are on Capone at all times.
The movie marks Trank's follow-up to the now-infamous fiasco "Fantastic 4" from 2015, and he offers glimmers of something interesting in his exploration of Capone. His screenplay takes a cerebral approach to dissecting the mind of a man with a violent past, but the movie feels like different set pieces strung together. As Capone's reality becomes increasingly distorted, the movie feels surface level in the way it approaches his state of mind.
Hardy has often been regarded as one of the finest actors working today, evoking comparisons to Marlon Brando in his commitment to roles. He can be a distracting actor, whose face is hidden underneath masks and make-up, which appears to be what he's comfortable doing. His gravel-voiced interpretation of Capone is big and flashy but begs for attention in an off-putting way. Hardy spends the film chewing on cigars and grumbling, which doesn't allow for his performance to engage an audience as much as it should.
Trank's efforts to deviate from the rise-and-fall formula in telling Capone's life is worth noting, but the movie is a bit too shapeless and meandering to make an impact. Seeing a reclusive Capone combating his demons feels brief and fleeting because the psychology of the screenplay is often overshadowed by Hardy's gonzo performance. The movie needed to strike a balance between story and actor's showcase, which it struggles to do.
| Movie title | Capone |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | This drama about Al Capone commendably approaches the infamous gangster's life differently than prior movies but still feels a bit too shapeless. |
