Gangster No. 1 (2002)
73 %
Reviews Counted: 51 Fresh: 37 Rotten:14 Average Rating: 6.4/10
Consensus:
Gangster No. 1 is brutally violent, yet also compelling.
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Theatrical Release: Jun 14, 2002 Limited
Synopsis: When a young gangster (Paul Bettany) starts working for gang leader Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), known as the Butcher of Mayfair, he dreams of being everything that Freddie is: smooth, sophisticated, impeccably dressed, always with the right women, and driving the fanciest cars. Freddie... [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, Jamie Foreman
Director: Paul McGuigan
Screenwriter: Johnny Ferguson
Producer: Jonathan Cavendish, Norma Heyman
Composer: John Dankforth
Screenwriter: Johnny Ferguson
Producer: Jonathan Cavendish, Norma Heyman
Composer: John Dankforth
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Reviews
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06/24/06
A stylish, confused and insanely violent gangster drama from a first-time Brit director.
09/16/03
. . .captures the kinetic quality of the 60s with jump-action pacing, groovy camera angles and the occasional split screen treatment that never crosses the line into camp.
04/05/03
It certainly feels unique, and sets itself apart from most American gangster films in its stark refusal to paint the lead gangster as likable or indeed anything other than the vicious socio-psychopath he is.
12/08/02
It's a handsomely ugly affair, well dressed enough to make a few friends, but tough enough to make just as many enemies.
12/02/02
McGuigan has assembled a stellar all-British cast in which there are no weak links.
10/21/02
Malcolm McDowell is cool. Paul Bettany is cool. Paul Bettany playing Malcolm McDowell? Cool.
10/03/02
Not as well-written as Sexy Beast, not as gloriously flippant as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but stylish and moody and exceptionally well-acted.
09/27/02
If you can stomach the rough content, it's worth checking out for the performances alone.
09/13/02
Paul Bettany is good at being the ultra-violent gangster wannabe, but the movie is certainly not number 1.
09/13/02
Director Paul McGuigan and cast infuse the proceedings with a strong dose of psychotic gusto and visual flare.
09/12/02
Top Critic
Glizty but formulaic and silly...Cagney's 'top of the world' has been replaced by the bottom of the barrel.
08/26/02
A film divided into past and present sections that are ridiculously disparate.
08/23/02
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Gangster No.1 soundtrack
by: Freederry 7/8/03
by: Freederry 7/8/03
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