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Strong and Moving!

Load of rubbish!!

Blistering performances.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

the main flaw is a part reviewers seem to love: McDowell as the aging gangster; he simply does not register as the future of Paul Bethany as the young gangster- in height, looks, voice, demeanor; everyone else is right there, good fit, which means that the movie works very well until you get to the aging part; then the crazy, electric, calculating, vicious gangster turns into pretty much an old fud who walks around smoking cigars and rambling on about his past, i.e. not very interesting; it's as if Capone became a financier; electric deniro as the young godfather became an aged fredo instead of Brando who is quite civil and well kept- and will have the horse decapitated no problem; but until you get there, the movie is a first-rate but graphically brutal crime drama with brilliant small performances by lizard-tongued Lenny and others; camera is good, sets are good, script is good, editing is tight, impending terror and doom abound; but better and tighter and no end of movie letdown due to shift of time and place- and way too much shift in character- is the krays; blistering; stunning Billie whitelaw as the twins mum; it's graphically brutal, too, if that's a stopper, but an 8 or a 9 in this ilk

Gangster No. 1 follows the rise and fall of a particularly brutal and disturbed Cockney English gangster. It would be improper to compare this gem to the likes of Goodfellas (1990), big budget American gangster films and Guy Ritchie Brit slick criminal films. No.1 is in the vein of The Krays (1990) and has a for the most part a traditional narrative. That said, Director Paul McGuigan has a grand visual flare and Johnny Ferguson's screenplay takes the time to actually delve into the psyche of gangster who is arguably more psychopath that sociopath, (either way he is a killer). Ferguson's script gives the dialogue weight and realism which can be very thought provoking at times.McGuigan superbly crafts the period pieces of 60's London right through to the 90's, with fantastic set design, locations, music soundtrack and score. The viewer gets to witness England in all its swingin' 60's glory. The direction and Andrew Hulme's editing isn't mediocre and great effort has been made to make you feel the emotion that happens on screen, especially when there is a killer and victim scene. The use of P.O.V, manipulated shots and stylised lighting are used to achieve this. There are some gruesome and violent scenes, which is to be expected given the genre. This includes a torture scene that will stay with you for a while after the credits roll. Since its production 11 years ago only the ageing make-up has dated and yet this still doesn't impair on the magic of the film.The talented cast is any array of familiar UK faces including Saffron Burrows, Eddie Marsan, Doug Allen and Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln to name a few. David Thewlis is on top form as the quintessential gentleman gangster head Freddie Mays and show stealer Jamie Foreman is outstanding as rival gang leader Lennie Taylor in a smaller but pivotal role.Paul Bettany's performance is simply mesmerising, edgy, scary and he perfectly plays the jealous and ambitious Young Gangster. Incidentally, Bettany is reminiscent of Malcolm McDowell in Clockwork Orange (1971). Similarly, McDowell gives a fitting first-rate performance as the Gangster aged 55, who is just as intimidating and menacing. It's a great piece of casting thats credit goes to Jina Jay.Overall, it's a satisfying British gangster film that approaches the subject matter from a different angle, and that is from the inside out. The subject matter aside it's a self-effacing cinematic experience.

Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, and brief drug use and nudity. Quebec Rating:16+(should be 13+) Canadian Home Video Rating:18AI saw Gangster No 1 about a week ago on IFC.I must say, it exceeded my expectations.I knew it wasn't going to be any "Godfather".I expected to be an average gangster movie such as "Knockaround guys" or something.But Gangster No 1 exceeded my expectations and it is a fairly good gangster film with strong performances and a good storyline.The story is basically thirty years of the life of a gangster ranging from the year 1970 to the year 2000.It shows how he worked for another powerful mafia boss, how he betrayed the mafia boss,and his rise to being a rich gangster and later finding out that he is not happy with it.Gangster No 1 is a good gangster movie that is recommended.

this 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