New on DVD: Gangster No. 1

Moviegoers have always had a fascination with the life of the gangster. One of the newest, quality films on video and DVD about the life of a gangster is UK import Gangster No. 1. While many films have glamorized the gangster lifestyle, Gangster No. 1 goes against the grain. Gangster No. 1 provides a gritty look at the underworld in 1960s Britain, focusing on the rise of a ruthless, power hungry gangster and is bolstered by a quality cast including Paul Bettany (A Knight's Tale and A Beautiful Mind), David Thewlis (Mike Leigh's Naked), and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange).

Gangster No. 1 begins with an older gangster (Malcolm McDowell) relating the tale of his rise to power. The young gangster (Paul Bettany) is recruited by a high-powered, stylish gangster named Freddy Mays (David Thewlis). Freddy is rumored to have gained his prestige and ruthless reputation through the murder of a London cop and early in his reputation with the young gangster puts forth the impression that he is not a man to be crossed. The young gangster develops a strange admiration and envy of Freddy, wanting his style and his power. It is only clear that his feelings for Freddy may extend further and into dangerous territory when Freddy falls for a nightclub singer/dancer named Karen(Saffron Burrows). It is clear that the young gangster is extremely jealous of Karen taking Freddy's attention from him, creating a great deal of tension between he and Karen and causing Karen to become very territorial with regards to Freddy. Because of his jealousy, the young gangster begins to simultaneously hate Freddy and desperately seek his approval. The situation comes to a head when Freddy and Karen are jumped by a competing gang. The young gangster leaves the two to potentially die, but goes to avenge Freddy by brutally torturing and killing the rival gang leader. But Freddy neither dies nor does the gangster gain Freddy's respect. When the rival gang leader dies, Freddy is sent off to prison for his murder. The young gangster gains Freddy's empire, but never Freddy's admiration, even after years when Freddy is nothing and the young gangster has grown to have all of the power.

Gangster No. 1 is oftentimes an ugly and disturbing film, but it is admirable that it does not succumb to the romanticism that is characteristic of so many American gangster films and television programs. While the gangsters in U.S. films also display ruthless and cruel behavior, there is a tendency to make the characters either likeable or so stylish and suave that they are cool. Gangster No. 1's Freddy Mays may fit that profile to some extent, but the young gangster at the heart of the film is portrayed as so remorseless, rude, and violent that he evokes little empathy amongst audience members. In short, he is no Tony Soprano. Even when the gangster appears as an older man at the end of the film, he is never likeable but merely pathetic.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic