Gangster No. 1 (2000)
80%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 9 nominations
Gangster No. 1 is a film that is both a feast for the eyes and a punch to the gut. Director Paul McGuigan and the cast bring a level of psychotic energy to the screen that is both terrifying and exhilarating. The film’s brutal set pieces and stylized violence raise the bar for the genre, while also managing to capture the soulfulness of its characters. Despite some criticisms of its glibness and soullessness, Gangster No. 1 is a solid and satisfying film for adults who can handle its hard, cold effect. It’s a handsomely ugly affair that is sure to make just as many friends as it does enemies.
Gangster No. 1″ is a movie that’s like a fancy cake with a dark, gritty filling. It’s got style, it’s got violence, and it’s got some great performances, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a movie that’s all sunshine and rainbows, this ain’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something that’s a little bit twisted and a little bit cool, then give it a shot. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Production Company(ies)
Ear Goggles
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Barbican, London, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, and brief drug use and nudity
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 43m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2002 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2002
Genre(s)
Crime/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Foreman, directed by Paul McGuigan, written by Johnny Ferguson, crime, drama, $30.9K box office, reviewed by Mark Kermode, Chris Vognar, Edward Guthmann, Ella Taylor, Roger Ebert, Kevin Thomas, Malcolm McDowell as Gangster 55, David Thewlis as Freddie Mays, Paul Bettany as Young Gangster, Saffron Burrows as Karen, Kenneth Cranham as Tommy, Jamie Foreman as Lennie Taylor, produced by Jonathan Cavendish, Norma Heyman, R MPAA rating, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR sound mix, Flat (1.85:1) aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $30,915
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $53,619
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,081
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,847
US/Canada gross: $30,915
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $53,619
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,747
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,514
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,564
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,712
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
David Thewlis – Freddie Mays
Paul Bettany – Young Gangster
Saffron Burrows – Karen
Kenneth Cranham – Tommy
Jamie Foreman – Lennie Taylor
Director(s)
Paul McGuigan
Writer(s)
Johnny Ferguson
Producer(s)
Jonathan Cavendish, Norma Heyman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (52) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (15)
It’s a handsomely ugly affair, well dressed enough to make a few friends, but tough enough to make just as many enemies.
December 2, 2002
Mark Kermode
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Director Paul McGuigan and cast infuse the proceedings with a strong dose of psychotic gusto and visual flare.
September 12, 2002 | Rating: B
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Doesn’t offer much besides glib soullessness, raunchy language and a series of brutal set pieces … that raise the bar on stylized screen violence.
July 26, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Clever, brutal and strangely soulful movie.
July 19, 2002
Ella Taylor
L.A. Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The film has a kind of hard, cold effect.
July 19, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Gangster No. 1 is solid, satisfying fare for adults.
July 11, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Despite some really good performances especially from Bettany, this is a pretty terrible movie…
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
June 4, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com
February 10, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Spence D.
IGN Movies
A stylish, confused and insanely violent gangster drama from a first-time Brit director.
September 16, 2003 | Rating: 6/10
Dan Fazio
Citysearch
…cool shots do not a riveting film make.
August 1, 2003 | Rating: 1.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
. . .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.
April 5, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews…
Plot
A middle-aged crime boss smugly reflects back from 1999, narrating the brutality which made him triumphant – and feared. As an unnamed young hood in Swinging 60’s London, he aped his mod boss Freddie Mays, and seemed to do anything for him. But his narration exposes all-consuming envy: of Freddie’s supremacy, and especially his tall bird. The baby shark develops his viciousness and backstabbing, scheming to be Gangster No. 1.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Malcolm McDowell gives a sinister performance as Gangster No. 55.
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