‘Capone’: Tom Hardy Portrayed History’s Most Infamous Gangster in This Critical Flop

The 2020 crime drama ‘Capone’ seemed poised for success, combining the story of Al Capone’s final days with Tom Hardy’s celebrated acting. However, despite high expectations, the film failed to win over critics. Directed by Josh Trank,  ‘Capone’ was intended to be an unconventional “anti-gangster” film, focusing on Capone’s syphilis-induced dementia and physical decline rather than his criminal exploits. Unfortunately, this approach contributed to its downfall.

Trank, who previously directed the successful ‘Chronicle’, had a career setback with the disastrous ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot.  ‘Capone’ was meant to revive his reputation, but instead, it became another critical failure. Trank’s vision of a film that deconstructed Capone’s mythological status didn’t resonate with audiences or critics. Reviewers criticized the film’s aimless narrative and over-the-top portrayal of Capone, calling it disjointed and lacking in depth. Some found Hardy’s eccentric performance, filled with strange vocal choices, distracting and unconvincing.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Although a few critics praised  ‘Capone’ for daring to break genre conventions, such as USA Today appreciating its unique perspective on Capone’s deteriorating state, most were left unimpressed. The Hollywood Reporter and Slant Magazine felt that Trank missed an opportunity to offer meaningful insight into Capone’s mental and physical collapse, instead reducing him to a caricature.

In the end,  ‘Capone’ earned a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes, polarizing audiences. While Trank anticipated the divisive response and remained proud of his work, the film is ultimately remembered as a critical flop that missed the mark despite Hardy’s efforts.

–Farheen Ali