Review of Gangster No. 1 (2000) by Leo K — 25 Apr 2008

Paul Bettany's performance as the "Young Gangster" is utterly unnerving and the character is fascinatingly horrible. Someone genuinely 'evil' and deranged, you feel something verging on being an attraction if he wasn't so monstorous. The message of the film appears to be that the embraciing of the gangster life in the long run is hollow. A victory that is pyric because nobody remains around to praise and congratulate you, as shown by the Gangster character in his twilight years. A special mention needs to be given to the murder scene of the film as Paul Bettany's character makes the whole thing feel like some sick performance piece. Everything aboot it is brutally intoxicating and superbly shot with top notch acting.

You'll be scared of cockneys for weeks afterwards.