Gangster No. 1 - The Good Life
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Few people keep asking for this. Look in my eyes. They’ll maybe stop.
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Enjoyed this film. Forgot about so will now watch it again. Great review
Great gangster film without it being like a Guy Ritchie film which was a common thing at the time. Paul Bettnay is always a great actor of the 2000s
Thanks for commenting, John. Appreciated. T.
One of my favourite, lesser known gems. Bettany is absolutely terrifying in it- really it's a shame he never really lit up Hollywood, especially in villain roles, as he absolutely floors it here. The scene between him and the equally brilliant Marsan is an exercise in psychological torture, somehow more terrifying than the actual murders themselves.
The exact motivations of his character are interestingly vague: does he love Freddie? Is he in love with the idea of him? He certainly wants to be him - not just Gangster No.1 but actually him in the flesh. As you said- covetous.
The cinematography is perfect. One thing that always stands out is that Freddie's apartment doesn't change in the years between events, but looks great in the 60s, but horrid in present day- there's a subtle shift in the colour balance to dull the golds- it works perfectly and it more deft than, I dunno, putting cobwebs and dust everywhere?!
Regarding the McDowell/Bettany switch, a lot of people had an issue with this and it does seem to be a bit of a 'celebrity guest star' move, especially as Bettany definitely has comparisons/drew inspiration from Alex the Droog from A Clockwork Orange, but- and maybe I'm being a bit of an apologist here- I always thought McDowell was cast to show how- metaphorically- all that hatred and anger and frustration corroded Gangster from a handsome pretty boy into a snivelling, miserable ugly shell of a man (whereas everyone else stayed the same, just aged naturally).
Anyway, I could prattle on about the film for hours. Good review. I'll be sure to check out the rest of the channel.
Thank you very much, John, for posting a great, insightful and thought-provoking comment. Enjoyed reading. Hope you find time to check out some of the other reviews and share your thoughts. T.
@@tonybush555 Thanks Tony. Yours is a great channel- good to hear some reviews of little known gritty films I already love and, even better, a whole bunch of ones I've never heard of. I haven't spotted The Friends of Eddie Coyle on there yet (maybe I missed it?) but would love to hear your take on that lovely slice of 70s American sleaze. Anyway, keep up the good work, fella.
@@johntaylorson7769 Thank you, John. No, you haven't missed my review of The Friends Of Eddie Coyle. It is done, and it's scheduled to go live on Jan 30th. Regards. T.
Now I need to give this one a rewatch! I remember first hearing about this film when I was sat down in the cinema ready to view ‘ A Clockwork Orange’ back in early 2000 after its decades long UK ban and a teaser of this came on before, I recall the text coming up on screen roughly saying ‘The film you are about to watch was banned for 28 years…,’ then a image of Paul Bettanny came up and title Gangster No. 1, it then continued, ‘ See it before it suffers a similar fate!’. Needless to say it was on my must watch list after that! Haven’t seen it in years but it always stayed with me. And Paul Brittany’s silent scream/laugh face was imprinted on my brain for years after.
Cheers, jnrazic. Thanks for commenting. T.
We Still Kill The Old Way and it's sequel are worth a look at
Cheers mate. Could you do one sometime on my favourite Tarzan film that i`ve just bought on DVD. 1959`s Tarzan`s Greatest Adventure. Even has a young Sean Connery in it as a baddie😁
That is a cracking adventure film, Wayne, and one I will keep in mind. Many thanks. T.
Ta@@tonybush555
I saw this once a long time ago, now I will have to watch it again. I did enjoy it. I loved the review.
Thanks for your kind comments, Stanley. Appreciated. T.
I asked for this a long time ago.And you took heed to my suggestion...Thanks
Someone else made a few requests for it also, can't for the life of me remember who it was. Still, no matter. Thanks for commenting, Deedsofwill. T.
Thanks
Richard, I'm completely bowled over by your continued generosity. Sincere Thanks. T.
Another good review never saw this movie or heard it thank you very much and a later happy new year
You're always welcome, Ronald. Thank you and Happy New Year. T.
Yet Another great review of a great gangster movie made in that gold rush after Lock stock. But like sexy beast a true British classic. Bettany superb as usual-his slightly aloof nature fits well with the part I've gotta be honest I'd never noticed the eyes thing with him and Malcolm. McDowell commanding screen with ease.
Marsen -is there a role he can't pull off? And burrows who appears to have retired or industry not interested in her anymore. Isn't foreman (whose Christian name evades me) related to one of EastEnds torturers? In real life.
Great review looking forward to more quality reviews in year. Keep safe
Jamie Foreman played Lennie in this film. He is the son of former gangster Freddie Foreman. Jamie also starred in many British crime films Empire State, The Football Factory. He also starred as Derek Branning in EastEnders.
@@ninfilms he and sally Hawkins were two incredibly badly dressed Wannabees in layer cake as well. If memory circuits right
@@graemewilson7975 yes your memory does suit you well. Sally Hawkins with a machine gun
@@ninfilms paddington London mum with a machine gun
@@graemewilson7975 yes Paddington mum with a machine gun and swearing.
Not a bad one. Did you ever see The Limey with Terance Stamp?
The Limey is a great film
My ex-wife saw 'The Limey' on an airplane and hated it. Given that we have polar opposite taste in movies, that (and your own recommendation) means I will surely enjoy it. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Yes, ThatGuy, and it's on my list for some time in the future. Thanks. T.