Konterr Brilliant and touching

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Majikat Gangster No. 1 shows a completely different style of film in terms of the Gangster sub-genre. It's more about the unfulfilled psychotic man who wants it all st every cost. A great performance from Paul Bethany and a great cast filled with British Drama actors (with an obligatory role for Jamie foreman). I'm slightly confused as to why all other characters remained the same and made up in older age, whilst Paul Bethany turns into Malcolm McDowell, perhaps that's a more symbolic gesture.

jarod34 I thought Gran Torino was the worst film I'd ever seen based on awful acting, hilarious dialog and as a vehicle for a has been, but this film makes Gran Torino look like Ghandi. You know you are watching a bomb when you are laughing at a film that's not meant to be a comedy, as was the case with Gran Torino, but when you stop laughing and have the urge to cry, then you are watching Gangster No. 1. Malcolm McDowell has to be the worst actor that ever walked the earth. I would advise anyone who values a good script, a good screenplay, and most of all decent acting, to avoid this film like they would avoid a particularly noxious disease. I never thought I would see a film that makes Gran Torino look good, I've found it!

Jamie_Seaton I have now watched all of Paul McGuigan's films and love every single one of them. he's really gone up in my ratings as one of the best directors around at the moment. other classics he's made are Lucky Number Slevin, Wicker Park and Push. its the style he puts into his films that really win me over. the sets look really rich and marvellous. i hope he keeps up his amazing directing techniques. in this film he centres on the gangster world in the 1960's england, and pulls it off brilliantly. the film is slightly surreal with the odd camera shots and dark atmospheric acting. Paul Bettany gives an exceptional performance as a ruthless psycho of a gangster that will do anything to reign supreme on the gangster family. another cool thing about this film is that you never find out what his characters name is. Malcolm McDowell also gives a magnetic performance as the older version of Paul Bettany's character many years later. David Thewlis and Saffron Burrows give good support in this classic gangster masterpiece. the film is very original for its intense and very violent scenes that will shock any audience that watch it. the tracking shots and music really go well with this film. there really isn't a problem i can say with this, maybe the film should be on for a little longer because of the shortness of it due to so many other gangster classics surpassing the 2 hour mark.all in all this film is brilliant. Paul McGuigan is a hero director that has really won me over. he's a genius. if you love this then check out his other films.......... 10/10.........j.d Seaton

Angelus2 This film is based in the 1970's a fictional gangster joins a gang and slowly begins to rise above all his fellow criminals; which is narrated by the older self. Bettany is the best thing about this film he has a creepy vibe to him, his psychopathic, almost sexually depraved Gangster.No 1.The characters are traditional cockney gangsters, in everything they do and say; the violence is brutal and violent...As the film goes on you realise Gangster No.1 is almost obsessed with Freddie and as Karen emerges Gangster almost becomes jealous....a good film with great character development..but no real story behind the film...