Review of Gangster No. 1 (2000) by Ruhan R — 21 Jul 2011
Gangster No. 1 was a moderately well made production that I would call a crime drama sooner than a gansgter movie. Paul Bettany put on a good performance as the bloodthirsty and slightly maniacal unnamed gangster who ultimately betrays his boss, Freddie Mays, and seizes power over the London underworld.
My main quarrel with this film was that the script focused on key relationships & rivalries rather than on the mechanics of the gangs themselves. All that was really revealed about Mays work was that he was very wealthy and owned a club, virtually no gang activity was highlighted save for the sequence where the protagonist rises to power.
As pretty as that sequences was, more detail regarding exactly how he came to be a kingpin would have enhanced the movie greatly. The acting in this film was well done, as was the casting. Production value was certainly solid and the script featured some good narration and dialogue too.
Unfortunately, aside from Mays, Karen and the protagonist, the rest of the characters were very two-dimensional. Overall, this film brought a great setting and story, but it wasn't executed to it's full potential.
This review of Gangster No. 1 (2000) was written by Ruhan R on 21 Jul 2011.
Gangster No. 1 has generally received positive reviews.
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