Gangster No. 1 (2000)

The greatest movie ever made..!

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

In the recent glut of British gangster films spurred on by the success of LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, GANGSTER NO. 1 stands out head and shoulders above the rest by being a serious, frequently disturbing little movie which offers up oodles of tension and some top-notch acting. Throwing aside the slick, stylish silliness of other offerings, this is a very dark-souled film which acts more like a character study than a conventional crime flick. Obvious comparisons are to be made with everything from GET CARTER to SCARFACE, and although the influences are there, this film has enough originality to stand up on its own as a minor classic.The lead role is played by two actors (playing both younger and older versions of the same character). Paul Bettany is superb as the young twisted gangster, giving an understated performance of brooding tension and anger which erupts in a disturbing murder scene in which the camera mimics a man repeatedly fading in and out of consciousness. Bettany has some fine dialogue "look into my eyes" and is one of the scariest screen sadists I've ever seen; not sure why he wasn't more acclaimed for his portrayal but it's smashing stuff. The inimitable Malcolm McDowell plays his older self with his usual trademark fiery/frightening intense stuff and is also ace. The supporting cast are all fine, from David Thewlis as the laid back leader to Saffron Burrows as the love interest and Kenneth Cranham as a bodyguard.For a change the violence is used for a reason rather than just being excessive (although there's nothing wrong with that in my book); a simmering undercurrent of unsaid menace is what makes the film riveting to watch. Take for example the scene where Bettany extracts information from a man in his kitchen; at any minute you expect him to grab his axe and chop the guy's arm off; at the same time you are glued to the screen but want to look away because it's so intense. The ending also twists things around, showing the lie that McDowell's life has been, and is smashing. With its non-stop swearing and brutal violence, Gangster No. 1 is not going to be a film to everyone's taste, but if you can get over those boundaries then I'm sure you'll realise what an intelligent, complex little film this is.

Power is nice for a while. You can get all the women, all the cars, all the trappings of material success and respect that you might want in this world, but where does it leave you? That is the point of this well-scripted, fantastically acted, and excellently directed film.The occasional psycho might see this as a roadmap to gaining power, but most will see the emptiness which consumes Gangster 55 (played by Malcolm McDowell) as an older man. I saw the emptiness most especially in the opening and closing scenes of the film. In the opening scene, 55 is in his sunset years is with his friends at a high-end club, re-living their younger days. They should be happy and relaxed but instead they seem manic and 55 seems downright bored. The closing scene features McDowell again, mocking Freddie Mays (David Thewlis) who is humbled from serving 25 years in jail. Freddie is at peace. 55 has been the most powerful man around for quite some time and should take some pleasure in that. However he is miserable and so he baits this now humble man. It's clear 55 is that saddest of creatures - only happy when making someone else sad.This film to me was about the emptiness of power gained at the barrel of a gun. Some fantastic acting in this one. Paul Bettany was very good in A Beautiful Mind and he is cold, distant, and terrifying as 55 as a young man. His ambition seems limitless and Bettany makes us believe that there's almost no limit to his capacity for violence. Bettany's coldness and amorality are terrifying. Malcolm McDowell's old gangster is cruel, malevolent, and mean - McDowell seems to relish playing such a despicable character and he does it fantastically. David Thewlis as Freddie Mays really gets to show off his acting chops. What makes Paul Bettany's character admire him is how cool he is. He is cool even after he is released from prison, but along with that, Thewlis gives decency. Thewlis never does more when less will do and he gives a masterclass in understated acting. Saffron Burrows as Karen has a great role in which she plays a no-nonsense waitress with whom Freddie falls irreparably in love. That they remain in love throughout his time in prison is a powerful testament to the power of love and is the counterpoint to the bottomless hatred which emanates from 55. This truly is a paean to the futility of power. Very bleak but also with a note of redemption in the story of the love of Karen and Freddie. I thought this film was interesting in that it offers a more bracing, detached perspective on the life of the gangster than films such as Goodfellas where the activities are so abhorrent. We see what violence and a hunger for power ultimately gets you - boredom and frustration.

I thought Gran Torino was the worst film I'd ever seen based on awful acting, hilarious dialog and as a vehicle for a has been, but this film makes Gran Torino look like Ghandi. You know you are watching a bomb when you are laughing at a film that's not meant to be a comedy, as was the case with Gran Torino, but when you stop laughing and have the urge to cry, then you are watching Gangster No. 1. Malcolm McDowell has to be the worst actor that ever walked the earth. I would advise anyone who values a good script, a good screenplay, and most of all decent acting, to avoid this film like they would avoid a particularly noxious disease. I never thought I would see a film that makes Gran Torino look good, I've found it!

I loved this movie soooo much! I was first introduced two thirds into it and I was immediately ready to sit down and watch it at three in the morning staying up till five am. The way it is shot is like pure genius! There is a scene in it that is shot from the perspective of the person being murdered and I mean it is aw inspiring! Seriously if it weren't for the way this movie ended it it would have been a 10 on my voting. Point in fact though the ending isn't horrible it just leaves a little to be desired. NON-SPOILER ALERT about the ending, they use a different person for the main character as the older version, but everyone else plays themselves just with makeup....(Don't get me wrong the guy they got 'Malcolm McDowell' to play as the older gangster is the best narrator and therefore carries the movie, but it's just weird and very hard to over look) Not to mention Paul Bettany who is a genius in this movie as well! My god the man can play psycho! All and all a must watch and a pass on to any friend who is in the mood to see a great flick!!!!!