Gangster No. 1 Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
It's not who you know, it's who you kill.
A middle-aged crime boss (Malcolm McDowell) smugly reflects back from 1999, narrating the brutality which made him triumphant - and feared. As an unnamed young hood (played by Paul Bettany) in Swinging 60's London, he seemed to ape his mod boss Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), and do anything for him. But his narration exposes all-consuming envy: of Freddie's supremacy, and especially his tall bird (Saffron Burrows). The baby shark develops his viciousness and backstabbing, scheming to be Gangster No. 1.
| Malcolm McDowell | Gangster 55 |
| David Thewlis | Freddie Mays |
| Paul Bettany | Young Gangster |
| Saffron Burrows | Karen |
| Kenneth Cranham | Tommy |
| Jamie Foreman | Lennie Taylor |
| Eddie Marsan | Eddie Miller |
| Andrew Lincoln | Maxie King |
| Doug Allen | Mad John |
| Razaaq Adoti | Roland |
| Cavan Clerkin | Billy |
| David Kennedy | Fat Charlie |
| Johnny Harris | Derek |
| Anton Saunders | Trevor |
| Alex McSweeney | Bloke in Tailor's |
| Paul McGuigan |
6.60 out of 10 (3189 votes)
Visitor Reviews
a sinful film
posted on 09 Jul 2009Those involved in this film will suffer great tortures, for they have commited great sins against the Holy God of Cinema. They shall be placed in chambers beneath the earth, where they shall watch Truly Madly Deeply in slow motion for eternity, and that shall be their suffering. Thusly will they languish, and their pain is merited. Greatest of all shall be the suffering of those who, having seen the film, decided to inflict it upon a public, instead of burying it in the deepest vault imaginable - yea, deeper still than the stainless steel vaults that contain the writings of the great L.Ron Hubbard, author of the masterful Battlefield Earth. Anathema! Yea, they shall be undone.
3 stars (out of 4)
posted on 27 Jun 2009As the film opens we see a table of men in later middle age, very well dressed, around a table having dinner. In the same room, nearby, there is a boxing match going on, mostly ignored or perhaps taken for granted. The men remember shared events, but with fading memories. Their heavy accents tell us that we are in England. And we begin to see that these are people are criminals. Our main focus is on a character ("Gangster 55") played by Malcolm McDowell. When someone says that Freddie Mays is getting out of prison, Gangster 55 reacts and leaves the table.We flash back to 1968. Now the Gangster 55 character is played by Paul Bettany (who played the roommate in "A Beautiful Mind"). We see him get recruited by Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), a.k.a., "the Butcher of Mayfair." Freddie is dressed impeccably, as we hear Gangster 55 describe in the voiceover. Soon, after he joins Mays' gang, Gangster 55 is also.I was reminded of a couple of films. It reminded me of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," in that it involved gangsters with heavy English accents. This film also has some flashy camera work, but on the whole is more straightforward than the earlier film. This is appropriate, because while I would call "Lock" primarily a comedy, this was most definitely not. While there were a small number of humorous times, on the whole this is a serious and far more violent film.The other obvious connection is to "A Clockwork Orange." The films are related because of Malcolm McDowell, who figures prominently in both films, by the way that the young Gangster 55 is photographed glaring into the camera in a very similar manner to McDowell's Alex in the earlier film, and by the general level of violence.This isn't really my kind of film. I went because I read some very strong reviews. I admired it, but I felt drained when I left, and I couldn't really say that I enjoyed the experience. Even though that doesn't sound like a recommendation, it is, for the right people.Seen on 8/2/2002.
Performance 2
posted on 28 Apr 2009Remember the first half of Nick Roeg's Performance? James Fox plays a sadistic,stylishly dressed, cool bit of muscle for a cockney Gangster. He revels in the violence, in fact over indulges in it. The film (Performance) hints at a homo-erotic link to the violence. The editing is crisp and the direction is in your face.Well Gangster No 1 is that film writ large. And that's no bad thing.Loads of (realistic) violence, great suits, quotable dialogue, a perfectly reasonable soundtrack, nifty direction Thewlis at his best and McDowell's best work in 20 years. Wot more you want?You've not seen it yet? wot are you? some sort of a cant?
Not perfect but a better than average Britcrime movie.
posted on 12 Apr 2009I nearly passed this one by as I'm not a fan of "cheeky chappy" Brit gangster movies ala Guy Ritchie and the many lesser efforts that have emerged in his wake. As an admirer of tough-as-nails vintage UK crime movies ('Performance', 'Get Carter', 'The Long Good Friday'), I find most of the contemporary examples of this genre to be smug, shallow and not even all that amusing. 'Gangster No.1' is not without its flaws (especially a superfluous and increasingly irritating 'Goodfellas'-esque voice over), but is closer in spirit and style to those earlier gems. David Thewlis ('Naked') and Malcolm McDowell ('Clockwork Orange') both put in strong and memorable performances, and are backed up by relative newcomer Paul Bettany, the beautiful Saffron Burrows ('Deep Blue Sea') and a solid supporting cast. I can't claim that this is any kind of minor classic but I enjoyed more than the overrated 'Sexy Beast', and say it's definitely worth a look if you like gritty and violent crime films.
The return of "Clockwork Orange's" Alex in grand detail
posted on 31 Mar 2009Got the chance to see this on recently during a special screening on a university campus and I can say is this that is a grand British thuggish film in which is told is flashbacks of recently gangster films with a element of politeness in them but in brutal and grand detail beside the overall objectivity of a hint of the ultraviolence. Malcolm McDowell is brilliant as the elegant monster in the smugness of middle age since the film is set in the late 60's and part of the early 70's. The other character is played by Paul Bethany(from the Oscar winning A Beautiful Mind)which gets you a bit of old ultragraphics(or ultraviolence)that gets his heart racing,but its not the reward he seeks,but its consummation. Exceptional portrayal of British gangsterism at its finest hour. Kudos to Malcolm McDowell!
an entertaining renter
posted on 21 Mar 2009This was not a boring a movie. The film's pace was quick, and I was not checking the time every five minutes. When the film used two actors for one character, Gangster 55, it tells me that director is hiding something. That bothers me since my imagination will start coming up with different scenarios. Paul Bettany could not pull off the role as old Gangster 55? No? The director owed Malcom McDowell a favor so he casted McDowell as old Gangster 55? This is a distraction to the rest of the film.The director used a lot trick camera shots for no apparent reason. I don't know what the proper term for the techniques so I won't even try to list what the director did. Regardless, they presented a distraction to the rest of the film which does present the question, what is the direct hiding, or is the director trying to impress us, the viewer, with his magic?
possible SPOILERSThe story is simple, and to the point. The film tells the story of Gangster 55's rise to power in the London mafia. Along the way, Gangster screws over Freddie Mays whom he admires and respects. In the end, despite all of Gangster 55's power and success, Gangster 55 still did not best Mays.
Apparently, he is jealous of Mays success at finding love.The characters are not complicated to figure out as well. None of the characters have any mysterious background or personality that we the audience are not aware. There are no surprises.In short, if you are looking for a thinking man's film, this is not the one.
Rent Swimming Pool or Mulholland Dr. ( I still have not figured out that one.) Mind you, there is nothing wrong with a film like this. After all, sometimes, one needs to go to the theater simply to be entertained.Despite my misgivings with the film, it was enjoyable to watch. I am not inspired to own the DVD, but it is worth a good rent from the video store or to borrow from the library.
If you can stomach the rough content, it's worth checking out for the performances alone.
posted on 03 Mar 2009The unnamed title character in this ultra-violent British Tarantino/Ritchie-esque flick is played brilliantly by Paul Bettany (A Knight's Tale) in flashbacks and by Malcolm McDowell in present day. They portray a venomous, unlikable thug in truly chilling performances that deserves to be seen by the not-so-faint-of-heart. Stylistically masterful, director Paul McGuigan handles this bloody tale by telling the story of the Gangster by using a mostly-wordless Bettany with creepy voiceovers by McDowell. David Thewlis and Saffron Burrows also give solid performances with Thewlis as the man Bettany wants to be and Burrows as the woman that comes between them. Both of them aren't easy to like, but come out like saints compared to the nameless one. The "swinging London gangsters" may not come off as interesting as Tarantino's seemingly loveable thugs, but that's part of the point. They're not as charming or witty, but that's what makes them scarily realistic. Although not the most original of stories, it is the performances that make the film stand out from the already-flooded British gangster genre. The stylized screen violence has become more art than shock value and as we further desensitize ourselves to images like this, the less effective these films become. Some may actually only see this as a raunchy, violent, misogynist crime flick and, in a sense, they are right. Deeper than that, though, is a character study in greed and obsession with nods to Shakespeare, Freud, and the great Greek Tragedies. Those expecting a Hollywood-style gangster flick will be taken aback to say the least. While it has been out for 2 years in the UK and over a year in Canada, it has finally made it to US shores. Most genre enthusiasts already own it on DVD, but it's worth a look on the big screen. If you can stomach the rough content, it's worth checking out for the performances alone.
1 is a lonely number
posted on 04 Jan 2009In a way you can relate this film to Payback. Both films are about one man determination to achieve his goals and desires. The big difference being that Paybhack did this to a comically shallow effect while Gangster No.1 did it to horryfyingly (and almost erotic) deep effect. Where Mel Gibson's character would basically go from thuhg to criminal to thug to try and get his 70 grand, Paul Bettany's character devoloped an obssession over a crime boss, so much so, that he wanted to be a better version of him. Nevertheless, both characters go about their business without much care for anything else, the consequences, or what he will ultimatley accomplish. Again, Payback had the more comical angle while Gangster No.1 had the more depressingly pathetic approach. On to the story now. We first see the older and successful of Paul Bettany's character who hears about a former collegue getting out of prison. Then a good portion of the film is given to him reminscing about his formoer colleugue as well his rise to power. One thing that is blatantly clear is that he has an intense obssession over Freddie Mays who is the leading crime boss in london. As he said he love Freddies, suit, shoes, tie, demeanor, and even his cuff links. We also see that Paul Bettany's character, who has no name and is credited as young gangster, clearly has no sense of conscience or morality. When he find out that Freddie Mays was going to be jumped, e killed the only other guy who knew and then watched as Freddie got beaten and his wife's throat get slit. POSSIBLE SPOILER: Ironically enough, even though he did backstab Freddie Mays, when all is said and done, it appears that the only way he can justify hi9mself and what he has done is threw Freddie Mays who now hates the young (or old) Gangster. in the final act of the film, we see the gangster desperatly trying to impress Freddie Mays who really wants nothing to do with him. The gangster gets so desperate to be acknowledged that he actually tries to get Freddie to kill him kinda like all attention is good attention. HOwever, Freddie Mays hates the gangster so much that he isnt even worth killing. The ending speech is very similer to Denzel Washington's in Training Day, heck, they both refer to King Kong, however, the huge difference is, in Training Day, Denzel Washington lost everything but is still trying to show that he should be feared whereas, in Gangster No.1, the gangster actually has everything, money, the crime syundicate, yet he is still unhappy and tries to justify his existence by contantly reminding himself that he is number 1. It might not be an all too original ending but it fit so well and its hard to imagine how else it could have ended.sidenote: there is one particuilar scene that is both an unfliching look at murder and quite possibly a technical achievment. We actually see from the point of view of the victum a murder including his loss ond return to conscienceness.
Wow!
posted on 27 Dec 2008IT's stylish, it's clever, it moves. I am always amazed at how great English actors are in comparison to American or German ones. Of course this film is violent, but the violence is neither superfluous nor superficial. It has something to say. About the language - well, you can't really expect Gangsters to speak like schoolmarms, can ya? This is a real movie.
One of the best Gangster Films in a while
posted on 23 Dec 2008You can't really compare this to "Lock, Stock" as they are two completely different movies.
This movie is a lot more similar to "Once Upon A Time in America". But I have to say that I enjoyed this more. Especially with repeat viewing.Paul Bettany is brilliant as Gangster 55, and the rest of the cast are great too (that includes Macdowell). The story revolves around a young Gangster working his way up in the underworld.*spoiler*
The point of the movie I guess is that Gangster realises that the whole of his life he was competing with Freddie Mays to be number one, when Freddie Mays was actually too busy living his own life to care. It takes Freddie to come out of Prison for it to hit home with Gangster. Gangster realises his own life, and very existance as a person is pretty meaningless. *end spoiler*The only thing I would have liked would have been a bit more of Gangster before he met Freddie Mays. (His previous jobs). But aside from that, its a movie that gets better the more you watch it.Once Upon a Time in America is still a great movie as well though.8/ 10
Words+violence
posted on 05 Dec 2008Too much dialog and violence,are on the negative side, but the pace is good and the performances superb. Not enough to make it an excellent movie. Besides that, the script pretending to be deep,becomes dark and bloody, what confuses the viewer.Some people say that is to blur the water to look like profound.In a way I think this is the case of GANGSTER #1.The DVD copy I have rent,here in São Paulo,Brazil,has no nudity,as noted by MPAA.Perhaps this explains the difference in the running time of the film,registered in the countries Certification: Argentina,103 minutes and at the UK,105 minutes.By the way,the picture we are talking about,was not shown in any Brazilian theater,but is available in DVD,in few places only.
Bettany must have been trained by McDowell
posted on 17 Nov 2008this film is a masterpiece even by modern standards. it uses music that accompanies the key characters in the film, especially the use of the 'good life', it gives a whole new edge to that genre of music. Paul Bettany enjoys this part as well as Malcolm McDowell enjoyed playing little Alex in A Clockwork Orange. Bettany does not have the same creepy eyes as McDowell but uses them in just as effective way. Bettany also has that smile that curls up in at the edges that gives the viewer that belief the character understands a situation that no one else can comprehend but at the same time playing it smooth and calculated. on the directing front the script Witters have failed slightly during the catch up years, it is more than British film cheesy and the directer finished it off with the terrible looking flames that Bettany is pictured strolling through. the production team could have used far better effects or designs. on the other hand the directors are successful on the close up shots in the elevator and Bettany whistles like a kettle it gives the impression of anticipation that makes the movie so good
Though a character study of inadequacy, 'Gangster no. 1' is anything but.
posted on 15 Nov 2008I'm told, although I haven't had the chance to see it yet, that the performance of Paul Bettany in 'Gangster no. 1' owes a debt to the performance of Brit flick gangster icon James Fox in 'Performance.' Whether that is true or not I don't know -- I'll have to find out. What I do know is that Paul Bettany delivered a dynamic performance in 'Gangster no. 1.' With his work here as 'Young Gangster,' Bettany announced that he is a high level talent of great depth. If for no other reason, watch this movie to see an actor who plays a flamboyant Chaucer in 'A Knight's Tale,' a likable and taciturn doctor in 'Master and Commander,' and now a violent, seething and inadequate gangster in this film.There are, however, more reasons to watch than just great acting. 'Gangster no. 1' is about the rise and fall of an extremely violent and unbalanced gangster. Malcolm McDowell plays the present day gangster who has risen to the top of London's criminal world. Has has spent 30 years ruthlessly and bloodily building a criminal empire on a foundation of his enemies bodies. Life is euphoric and gravy. Then he learns that the man he once worked for is getting out of prison. Life isn't so euphoric anymore. The film is largely a flashback as McDowell remembers his one-time friend and tries to decide how best to deal with his imminent return.Paul Bettany plays McDowell's character in the flashbacks and it was a great bit of casting in both roles. I couldn't help but think of a young Alex turning into Bettany and then turning into McDowell. 'Young Gangster' is terribly complex. He can barely suppress his own psychosis and the sadistic rage that inevitably erupts because of it. He likes nice things and is envious of his boss (David Thewlis). Bettany and McDowell are haunted by the legacy of Thewlis for the entire film. Thewlis is liked, feared and respected by everyone. Bettany and McDowell are mostly just feared. Even that seems to be slipping away. At the beginning of the film McDowell gets up to go to the bathroom. The gangsters sharing the table at the restaurant with him make jokes at his expense almost as soon as he's out of earshot.Is 'Young Gangster' homosexual? Based upon the almost level of jealousy and hatred he seems to have for the Saffron Burrows character whom Thewlis loves, I had to wonder. We see him alone the entire film however so another way to look at the jealousy is to regarding Burrows as an obstacle. She represents a sense of completion and fulfillment for Thewlis. In contrast, 'Young Gangster' is filled with inadequacy. He desperately covets the wealth, the position and -- most importantly -- the respect of Freddy Mays. Freddy Mays is anti-thetical to 'Young Gangster.' Freddy Mays is more than just his style and his money. He's been able to put his life into an enriching and rewarding order that 'Young Gangster' covets and resents -- his own is so deeply inadequate that he desperately mimics but can not replicate. Consider the final confrontation. McDowell is seeking both penance and approval from his former boss. Thewlis will only look on him with a mixture of pity and contempt. McDowell has the money, the clothing, the fancy apartment; his life is material but empty. Yes, he's "Gangster Number One," but as the title of the film cleverly puts it, he's also "Gangster: No One." I think the tie pin is a great example. Bettany covets the tie pin and what it represents: all of the things about Thewlis that he wants for himself. Thewlis gives it to him as a gesture. Bettany wears it proudly but it turns into a symbolic gesture of his own pathetic inadequacies. Thewlis later twists the knife when he tells McDowell that he doesn't need 'your money, your flat or your f**king tie pin.' Ouch.This is a wonderful character study of inadequacy, almost a spiritual film of sorts. Bettany is awe-inspiring, McDowell reminds you of the greatness he's capable of and David Thewlis, who is always so good, gives a very restrained and counter-balancing performance. Tremendous work from the three main leads and all of the supporting characters as well. Having just watched the film last night, I'm still too close to it. I get the feeling though that my rating and my regard for it will grow in time. Better, in my opinion, than 'Sexy Beast' and a more serious companion to the Guy Ritchie contributions. Shudder with recollections of 'Hostel' when Bettany introduces Foreman to a grisly end. And if he tells you to look into his eyes? Keep an eye out for hatchets.
Just terrific!
posted on 10 Sep 2008I was not expecting this film to be anywhere near as gripping and well made as it was, an absolute surprise. Just breath-taking, the music, tone and overall feel of this film are outstanding, I was blown away. To compare this to Lock, Stock is meaningless, this is a far better made film. This is a neo-classic film, with a story and performances that stay with you and linger -- like the shadow of the gaunt figure that Paul Bettany projects -- long after you've left the theater. This echoes of Caine in Get Carter or the original sleek Connery, an awesome very scary English gangster. There's a realism here, that transcends simply hiring real gangsters, it's called great acting. I highly recommend this film... But don't expect an easy ride. Kudos to Mcdowell for a triumphant return. Jesse Johnson(I) (On the IMdb)
Simply Superb
posted on 21 Aug 2008This is an excellent, well paced and dark take on the gangland theme. The acting is almost immaculate (I found Malcolm Macdowel slightly disappointing though), the set designs, especially of late 60s London, fantastic, and the soundtrack eery. The plot is strong, and especially in the pivotal scene where old Gangster no.1 meets the "Butcher of Mayfair", reminded me of classic tragihero Shakesperean themes.Well worth taking out on video and don't believe anyone who says it reminds them of Lock, Stock... (a lightweight, entertaining and totally forgettable popcorn film).
Superman, King Kong, and Gangster No. 1
posted on 01 Aug 2008I saw this movie to see Paul Bettany once again. I enjoyed his performances in <A Beautiful Mind> and <A Knight's Tale>, and wanted to see him in something heavier. Gangster No 1 seemed like the ideal role to see how he'd fare.He looks great decked out in Saville Row's finery, and has an unnerving composure which suits the role. The crude language seems more natural coming from him than from McDowell's older Gangster, or Thewlin's Mays. But the scenes in which he is supposed to be shooting daggers with his gaze at Karen, his rival for Mays' affection, seem comical and remind me of all the menace my five-year-old can muster in his stares.There is much lifted from other films, but McGuigan chooses his source material well. The <Reservoir Dogs> inspired the bubbly soundtrack to Lenny Taylor's goring, while <American Psycho> inspired the methodical disrobing and laying out of goring implements in that scene. <Get Shorty>'s Travolta gets the "Look into my eyes" thing right: it's cool apathy we're supposed to see, not Bettany's hammed-up intensity. <Good Fellas> inspires the "Business was never better" sequence, though McGuigan's lacks any significant depth, catching up on three decades in three minutes. Some original stuff too: While a gangster falls for the 'Bird' in this film, as in <Bugsy> or <Billy Bathgate>, it is not Mays' undoing, it is what saves him. The first person perspective on Taylor's goring works well, especially with fades in and out of consciousness. The jarring flash-forwards to Gangster's fierce attacks also work well. And I have never seen the c***-word used more liberally.What McGuigan, Bettany and McDowell do especially well is to reveal the emptiness of Gangster's relentlessly evil lifestyle. His disloyalty, jealousy, cruelty, vanity, and his hunger for power leave him paranoid, unloved, and suicidal. His touchstones of power and invulnerability---Superman and King Kong---are not human, perhaps showing how dehumanizing such physical invulnerability can be. But he remains vulnerable emotionally, and relies on bullying an old mate in Mays' crew, Mays' girlfriend, and Mays himself to stoke his fragile ego.A movie with some substance and style, but no virtuosos in this one.6 of 10
Great Movie
posted on 30 Jul 2008It was a brilliant movie. I only didn't like a few things about the flick though. 1)Why you gotta kill Roland, the black man. He didn't do anything. 2)The rooftop ending wasn't the best Other than these facts, movie was really good. Confusing but good. In these times of bad movies, when American cinema fails us 99% of the time, its nice to see a good movie. I think that the movie was well played out, and I would like to see more from this director and writer. One movie does not do him justice. Keep them coming. The movie also had a different plot than the usual gangster goes to top, then goes to rat on his friends to the FBI. This scenario is played to much and we got to explore more of the gangster world because of this film.
Baffling
posted on 22 Jul 2008Gangster No. 1 is such a demented mixture of the good and the awful that its near impossible to decide whether the film itself is actually any good.For every good thing (The director is surely destined for great, great things) there is a bad one (Malcolm MacDowell is so OTT that he drags the tone of the film down to completely the wrong level). The hugely derivative storyline doesn't really help either. However, Paul Bettany is terrific as the young gangster, and the Sixties is brilliantly evoked by music and meticulous set design.See it, and watch the director shine.
One of the best secret no one knows about movies of all time!!!!
posted on 02 Jul 2008I 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!!!!!
Loved it, but where's the soundtrack???!!!
posted on 31 Jul 2009I don't quite understand why this film hasn't gotten more recognition and has received such mixed reviews. I really loved it and will watch it again and again. My only gripe is not with the film itself, but with the lack of an available soundtrack. The music is varied and quite interesting in its own right, and is also well-suited to the movie. In this day and age when nearly every movie is accompanied by a soundtrack (even "In The Bedroom" which contained almost no music as I recall!), I fully expected to locate and order the accompanying music.