Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde was a extremely influential piece of cinema that ushered in a brand new period of violent and trendy storytelling that featured younger folks on the middle. It was controversial and attractive, launched each title stars to superstardom, and has cemented itself in Hollywood historical past by birthing a brand new subgenre. Oliver Stone’s Pure Born Killers picked up the mantel and created an explosive movie that pushed the boundaries of technical creativity in a extremely stylized, satirical, and violent homage to Bonnie and Clyde. Now in 2023, Tom DeNucci hopes that his Johnny & Clyde can go away as massive a mark as its cinematic dad and mom, however can it?
Johnny & Clyde follows the titular killers, performed by Avan Jogia and Skate Kitchen’s breakout star Ajani Russell, who’ve been rampaging throughout the nation. Between killing and having intercourse in dinky motels on high of beds full of money, the 2 have been constructing a status of by no means getting caught and are consistently making enemies. Enter Alana Coronary heart, performed by a blonde Megan Fox, the supervisor of the 4 Horse On line casino who has attracted rumors that she has satanic connections — doubtless as a result of she has demon goons that she has on bondage gear. She turns into the newest goal for Johnny and Clyde as they study that the on line casino’s earnings are held in an unprotected second location. The duo has introduced collectively their very own Barrow Gang that includes new gamers who’re simply vile as they’re. Alana finds out in regards to the theft and makes use of these satanic connections to guard her property.
This movie is ridiculous. On paper and on display, Johnny & Clyde is totally bonkers. The movie begins as a stylized crime thriller with zany characters and much more bombastic costume selections. Nonetheless, it lacks depth, and is a hole imitation of the much better Bonnie and Clyde and Pure Born Killers. For all of the pushback towards these movies, they no less than had a strong basis that provided essential commentary on the state of youth tradition and violence in society. These movies additionally prevented falling into the damaging entice of being simply fashion over substance. The fashion knowledgeable the movie’s substance; Johnny & Clyde has no such depth.
Regardless of Jogia and Russell being charismatic and dedicated to their roles, there’s a regarding lack of character improvement. Jogia has had an attention-grabbing profession that has seen him push the goodie two-shoe picture from his Nickelodeon days, even resulting in his gritty directorial debut Door Mouse, which is much better than this. Russell is a welcome sight as she represents a brand new technology of bizarre, on a regular basis folks being found whereas they stay their lives. Seeing her right here made me wish to drop Johnny & Clyde and rewatch Crystal Moselle’s Skate Kitchen and the TV collection spin-off Betty. It’s notably troubling seeing Russell’s abilities wasted right here, as Clyde contributes nothing to the dynamic, typically being a much less interesting Harley Quinn-type to Avan Jogia’s Joker.
Megan Fox can barely be referred to as a saving grace, as her character is probably the one factor of curiosity right here. She is a “villain” with a perspective, and her efforts to cease Johnny and Clyde are simply as documented as Johnny and Clyde’s try to rob her. Nonetheless, the script by DeNucci and Nick Principe is hardly value crediting for any curiosity generated by this character. Fox is a magnetic performer; regardless of having little, she makes it work. However I want she picked higher films, or turned it round like Nicolas Cage, who additionally went by means of a horrible film period to remain afloat. Fox deserves higher than this.
Johnny & Clyde is a chaotic, unamusing mess. There is sufficient to acknowledge its potential, nevertheless it’s totally squandered by uneven pacing, insufficient character work, lack of thematic cohesiveness, and, sadly, mediocre directing. The movie appears to be like as low cost because it feels, though one other saving grace is the costuming which does extra for the characters than something within the script. It’s unhappy to tear right into a film; there’s normally one thing value holding onto or advocating for. However Johnny & Clyde has little to advocate itself.
Johnny & Clyde is now enjoying in theaters and is obtainable on demand. It’s 100 minutes lengthy and never but rated.