GANGSTER NO.1 (2000)

Directed By: Paul McGuigan
Written By: Johnny Ferguson, Louis Mallis & David Scinto
Cinematography By: Peter Sova
Editor: Andrew Hulme

Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, David Thewlis, Andrew Lincoln, Eddie Marsan
A middle-aged crime boss smugly reflects back from 1999, narrating the brutality which made him triumphant - and feared. As an unnamed young hood in Swinging 60's London, he aped his mod boss Freddie Mays, and seemed to do anything for him. But his narration exposes all-consuming envy: of Freddie's supremacy, and especially his tall bird. The baby shark develops his viciousness and backstabbing, scheming to be Gangster No. 1

Director Paul McGuigan first film was a sign of things to come he is a talented visual artist who seems to have a preference for mob or organized crime stories, but the material he picks has very little substance. Though this is loosely based of the life of Gangster Frankie Fraser. Who was also the basis for the mobster played by Bob Hoskins in the film THE LONG GOOD FIRDAY.

Now watching this movie is a shock to the system as first for the low budget. The brutality and inventive camera work is entertaining, but if not for the star making performance of Paul Bettany. This film would have failed more then it succeeds.

The cast is good and quite highbrow for this type of film, but Bettany walks away with the movie, but one of the problems with the film is that we never know why his character is the way he is. He seems to have no past and is obviously in love with his boss and when his boss begins to go soft after falling in love with a singer. He see’s it as a betrayal. So he betrays him back to his enemies. Then Cleans the mess up by slaughtering the enemies single handedly why? Did he need someone to hurt his boss physically and he knew he would never have the heart to. Did it have to look like an attack so he could take over the gang while getting his boss out of the way?

The film has a strange logic to it, but it remains a good film. This film seems more gritty then Mr. McGuigan other works such as PUSH or LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN.

Now I usually love Malcolm McDowell but his later adult version of Paul Bettany’s character comes off on a wrong note more vicious, nasty, dirty and mean spirited then the quiet, scary Portrayal of the character he was before. I know McDowell’s name helps elevate the prestige of the project and can help the films box office. Truth be told it was one of the reasons that got me interested in watching the film. Why not have Mr. Bettany wear aging make up like the rest of the cast in later scenes, It just feels like Mr. McDowell’s performance wasn’t directed or he was left to do what he wanted to do because of who he was. It messes up the believable continuum.

The most memorable scene to me though is the revenge he gets for ambushing Freddy. A satisfyingly vicious scene that says so much dramatically as you cringe from the horror. The film also stars the beautiful Saffron Burrows who I feel doesn’t work enough. She is beautiful with a gracefulness and smarts about her. Who has proven herself to be a dependable actor in her many works. IT’S a gift to see her in a film which goes the extra mile. In giving her a dramatic character to play.

A satisfying Rental. A Nice Buy but only f you are a fan of the genre and it’s on sale discount.

GRADE: B-