Film Review: Gangster No. 1 (2000)

Malcolm McDowell was a star in number of memorable films that turned him into one of the icons of 1970s cinema. His problem was that most of those roles were those of psychopathic villains and, as result, in his subsequent Hollywood career he was reduced to supporting roles. One of the rare opportunities to star again was provided by Gangster No. 1, 2000 British crime drama directed by Paul McGuigan.

The film is based on the eponymous stage play by Louis Mellis and David Scinto. McDowell plays the unnamed main character (named simply as “Gangster” in the credits), a head of the most powerful criminal gang in London. Plot begins in present day when he hears about his former boss Freddie Mays (played by David Thewliss) being released from prison. Plot then switches back to 1960s and shows how young Gangster (played by Paul Bettany) became member of Mays’ gang. Mays at the time created awe among all London criminals because he had killed a policeman without ending in prison because of it. Gangster becomes his enforcer, enthusiastically using extreme violence in order to maintain Mays’ rule over London streets. However, after a time he realises that Mays actually doesn’t share his lifestyle and instead uses his gang’s profit to enjoy fine clothes, expensive cars, art and luxury apartment. Gangster becomes increasingly jealous, especially after his boss becomes involved with glamorous bar singer Karen (played by Saffron Burrows). When Mays gets in conflict with rival crime boss Lenny Miller (played by Jamie Forman), Gangster sees this as opportunity to take Mays out and become new boss.

Few films owe its success to strong acting performances like Gangster No. 1. McDowell obviously enjoys opportunity not only to return to his native country, but also to play demonic villain who also happens to be main character. McDowell creates truly despicable character without single redeeming qualities, but audience often can’t take the eyes out of his strong performance. To a lesser degree it can be said of Paul Bettany, actor who usually played protagonists and sympathetic characters, and here shines portraying monster in the making. Jamie Foreman, character actor and son of Freddie Forman, notorious member of Kray Twins gang, provides not only another strong performance, but also a touch of authenticity. David Thewliss and Saffron Burrows are, unsurprisingly, overshadowed by them, but also not helped by underwritten characters.

While the cast in general does great job, every other aspect of the film is less than satisfactory. The plot is series of cliches used in countless other gangster films which are abandoned only at the strange, unconventional but ultimately confusing ending. Like so many British gangster films in post-Tarantino era, Gangster No. 1 features large amounts of extreme violence and foul language. Director McGuigan, in an attempt to make all this more bearable to audience (and censors) employs MTV-style editing and various “clever” tricks, including Gangster breaking the fourth wall and directly talking to audience. At times those tricks become very irritating, but McGuigan partly acquits himself with well-made and suspenseful interrogation scene. Some of the film’s problems can be explained with creative differences at the set that forced original writer and director Jonathan Glazer to abandon project and instead make similarly-themed Sexy Beast. Fans of McDowell and Bettany would probably enjoy this film, but the rest of the audience isn’t likely to be too enthusiastic.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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