Mr. Untouchable

Mr. Untouchable is a remarkable biographical crime documentary that premiered in 2007. The film is a captivating exploration of one of the most notorious drug lords in US history, Leroy 'Nicky' Barnes, whose persona reverberates through the annals of American pop culture and criminal justice.

Helmed by director Marc Levin, the film leverages first-hand accounts, archival footage, and pulsating storytelling to chronicle Barnes' mesmerizing journey from humble beginnings to becoming the infamous kingpin of the Harlem narcotics trade during the 1970s. The documentary features prominent personalities including former narcotics agent David Breitbart, and revered news personality Walter Cronkite, among others.

In the film, the viewer is introduced to Barnes - a jovial, charming, articulate individual who is conversely a menacing figure in the underworld. His street name, 'Mr. Untouchable,' came from his brazen defiance of authorities and his perceived invincibility. His autobiography provides the backbone for the narration, painting a gritty and unflinching portrait of the man, his empire, and the era. The narrative encapsulates his initial years, his integration into the drug trade, his rise to prominence as a merciless Harlem drug lord, and his subsequent downfall.

Through the narration, Barnes’s intelligence and cunning become clear. He single-handedly created a streamlined, organized drug system that bought him wealth, power, and, most importantly, respect in the streets of Harlem. However, it also earned him powerful enemies, including the Italian Mafia, rival gangs, and the federal government.

But Mr. Untouchable doesn't simply focus on Nicky Barnes. It presents a much wider image, a probing investigation of the systemic corruption and societal issues that permitted such thriving illicit industries to proliferate. The film examines the milieu in which Barnes operated, grappling with daunting dilemmas surrounding race, poverty, and rampant institutional neglect. Striking a balance between a captivating biographical portrait and a socio-political commentary has been blended seamlessly under Levin's discerning mastery.

The narrative is interspersed with real-life interviews, including an imposing account from Barnes himself, giving viewers a rare insight into his thought process, motivations, and reflections. Heavily featuring period-specific insights, interviews, and news broadcasts, the film draws on commentary from law enforcement personnel such as David Breitbart and high-profile newscaster Walter Cronkite, who lend credibility and context to the suspenseful narrative.

Director Marc Levin presents Nicky Barnes as not just another malevolent kingpin, but rather as a layered, complex character driven by ambition, intelligence, and an insatiable desire for power. He resists the temptation to glamorize Barnes’s lifestyle or villainize him entirely, rather crafting spaces for the audience’s own interpretation.

Levin masterfully splices and overlaps various interviews and raw footage from the 1970s and combines them with the calm, seasoned recollections of Barnes from the present day. There are no shortages of moments when the viewer feels transported back in time, immersed fully in Barnes' world.

One of the most compelling aspects of Mr. Untouchable is its exploration of the factors that led to Barnes' legal downfall. While his activities brought Barnes immense wealth and renown in the criminal underworld, it also contributed to his downfall. Without revealing too much, it's sufficient to say that the second half of the movie builds with suspense and drama that ends in a deflating crash – an ending worthy of a Hollywood feature.

With a pulsating soundtrack underscoring much of the film, an immersive look at an era spanning the brazenness of the 1970s and the stark reality of a world permeated by drugs and crime, Mr. Untouchable remains an essential viewing experience. The raw, unadorned interview of Barnes adds an unprecedented authenticity to the narrative, making it one of the grittiest crime documentaries of its decade.

In conclusion, Mr. Untouchable is an intense, engaging, and eye-opening look at one man’s rise and fall in the drug-ridden landscape of 1970s Harlem. This documentary is much more than just an account of Barnes' life; it's an evocative and prolonged look into the dynamics of power, crime, law, and society in a politically charged era. With immersive storytelling, a gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes, Mr. Untouchable brings a unique perspective into the examination of both a man and an era.