Mr. Untouchable (2007)

73% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(667 ratings)

As the political revolt, consciousness expansion, and calls for racial equality that dominated the late '60s gave way to the apathy, drug abuse, and materialism that would define much of the 1970s, Nicky Barnes was a man who seemed to symbolize this time all too well. Born and raised in a troubled… More As the political revolt, consciousness expansion, and calls for racial equality that dominated the late '60s gave way to the apathy, drug abuse, and materialism that would define much of the 1970s, Nicky Barnes was a man who seemed to symbolize this time all too well. Born and raised in a troubled household, Barnes grew up with few desires other than getting rich, and he did just that. Barnes was a drug dealer who promoted himself as the man with the best heroin and cocaine in New York City, and between 1970 and 1975 he became the wealthiest and most powerful illegal drug dealer in America. Heading an underground organization known as "The Council," Barnes had a handful of top drug peddlers working under him, and shrewdly aligned himself with Mafia-connected drug importers, cutting out middlemen and offering himself a measure of protection at the same time. The booming market for heroin and cocaine (drugs Barnes himself used with enthusiasm) made Barnes a multi-millionaire, but as pride comes before a fall, Barnes' certainty that the police could not catch up with him led to his downfall, as one of his underlings unwittingly gave him up to authorities. In time, Barnes went into the FBI's Witness Protection Program and obtained his freedom by informing on the associates who helped make him a success. Barnes co-authored an autobiography in 2007, and filmmaker Marc Levin persuaded Barnes to tell his story on camera (though without revealing his face); Levin's interviews formed the basis of Mr. Untouchable, a documentary on Barnes' rise, fall, and disappearance into Middle America. Barnes' story was also featured in another 2007 release, American Gangster, a fact-based drama which portrays both Barnes and another powerful drug kingpin, Frank Lucas. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Marc Levin
Genres: Documentary

In Theaters: Oct 26, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jan 29, 2008
Studio: Magnolia Pictures

Critic Reviews

John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Does the movie glorify Barnes and his nefarious profession? Probably, but show me a movie about the drug trade that doesn't hook us first with guts and glamour before the moralizing fall.
Robert Koehler, Variety
One seriously confused documentary.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
What emerges is a portrait of a complex man.
, New York Magazine
Sometimes persuasive and sometimes sadly comical, but always fascinating.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
It's not a pretty picture, but it sure is a compelling one.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Mr. Untouchable is never dull.
Simon Foster, sbs.com.au
If it casts a slightly too favourable eye over the subject and his social impact, you can't begrudge the director his understanding of and affection for the period and its people.
Bill Gibron, Filmcritic.com
Like much of the story of Harlem in the '70s, the truth is the least important part.
Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters
The principle at issue may not be plain to everyone, but "to those people inside the system of values, that's totally acceptable."
Tony Medley, Tolucan Times
A lackluster documentary that lionizes this creep while ignoring the damage that his distribution of drugs did to society and the many brutal murders he ordered.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Levin was clearly captivated by the sheer spectacle of Barnes' career.
Brian Orndorf, eFilmCritic.com
On its own, Mr. Untouchable is a solid education on a specific period of time reigned over by a demon who willingly spread sickness to line his pockets.
Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine
What is most intriguing in the film are the words, indeed the presence, of Barnes himself.
Nathan Rabin, AV Club
Legendary '70s heroin kingpin Leroy "Nicky" Barnes is filmed like a deposed king in exile in Mr. Untouchable, Marc Levin's slick look at one of New York's most notorious criminal masterminds.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

Pretty boring documentary about Nicky Barnes. It had moments where it was somewhat entertaining, but those moments where few and far between. Watch American Gangster for a more entertaining experience and leave it at that.
Keith M

Good Documentary about the guys that ran drugs in Harlem in the 70s. A whole lot more entertaining and informative than American Gangster.