Bonnie and Clyde Viewers' Response
1. In 1967 when Bonnie and Clyde was released, it was not rated. What rating would you give the film if it were released today? Why? Please support with references to the MPAA guide.
2. Bonnie and Clyde associates violence with sex. Where do you see examples of this? Is it necessary to tell this particular story?
3. How do the filmmakers root the audiences’ allegiances with the outlaw-murderers? What are the characteristics attributed to the outlaws and the “laws” which influence out opinion of each?
4. Who are some typical American heroes/heroines? What qualities define the American hero/heroine? Are Bonnie and Clyde heroes in any way ?
5. Consistently, in American culture, we run into the idea of people trapped by social class. In what ways are poor Americans trapped? Do you believe in the American ideal that if people work hard enough/try hard enough, they can overcome their personal backgrounds? Did people generally believe this in the 1930s? What about the 1960s? How is this reflected in Bonnie and Clyde, a film made in the 60’s and set in the 30’s.