Review of The Long Good Friday (1980) by Bryan W — 17 Sep 2009
At once a touchpoint for lavish lifestyles in the late seventies, a serious mob drama, and always shockingly and explosively violent, this film is destined to fall in an uncomfortable middle ground. Audiences looking for anything of the Scorsese ilk will be disappointed by the pacing and lack of violence, and anyone looking for drama could easily be turned off by the violence when it is present.
In spite of these things, the standard gangster movie formula shows the lavish lifestyle before their downfall begins around the middle of the film; here, the downfall starts at the beginning and Hoskins' character is forced to grapple with his declining influence.
As a basis for a film, this is positively alluring. Hoskins struts and scowls his way through a wonderfully human performance while Mirren seems to be given too little to do. A definite must see for anyone not looking for standard mob film fare.
This review of The Long Good Friday (1980) was written by Bryan W on 17 Sep 2009.
The Long Good Friday has generally received very positive reviews.
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