I'm told, although I haven't had the chance to see it yet, that the performance of Paul Bettany in 'Gangster no. 1' owes a debt to the performance of Brit flick gangster icon James Fox in 'Performance.' Whether that is true or not I don't know -- I'll have to find out. What I do know is that Paul Bettany delivered a dynamic performance in 'Gangster no. 1.' With his work here as 'Young Gangster,' Bettany announced that he is a high level talent of great depth. If for no other reason, watch this movie to see an actor who plays a flamboyant Chaucer in 'A Knight's Tale,' a likable and taciturn doctor in 'Master and Commander,' and now a violent, seething and inadequate gangster in this film.
There are, however, more reasons to watch than just great acting. 'Gangster no. 1' is about the rise and fall of an extremely violent and unbalanced gangster. Malcolm McDowell plays the present day gangster who has risen to the top of London's criminal world. Has has spent 30 years ruthlessly and bloodily building a criminal empire on a foundation of his enemies bodies. Life is euphoric and gravy. Then he learns that the man he once worked for is getting out of prison. Life isn't so euphoric anymore. The film is largely a flashback as McDowell remembers his one-time friend and tries to decide how best to deal with his imminent return.
Paul Bettany plays McDowell's character in the flashbacks and it was a great bit of casting in both roles. I couldn't help but think of a young Alex turning into Bettany and then turning into McDowell. 'Young Gangster' is terribly complex. He can barely suppress his own psychosis and the sadistic rage that inevitably erupts because of it. He likes nice things and is envious of his boss (David Thewlis). Bettany and McDowell are haunted by the legacy of Thewlis for the entire film. Thewlis is liked, feared and respected by everyone. Bettany and McDowell are mostly just feared. Even that seems to be slipping away. At the beginning of the film McDowell gets up to go to the bathroom. The gangsters sharing the table at the restaurant with him make jokes at his expense almost as soon as he's out of earshot.
Is 'Young Gangster' homosexual? Based upon the almost level of jealousy and hatred he seems to have for the Saffron Burrows character whom Thewlis loves, I had to wonder. We see him alone the entire film however so another way to look at the jealousy is to regarding Burrows as an obstacle. She represents a sense of completion and fulfillment for Thewlis. In contrast, 'Young Gangster' is filled with inadequacy. He desperately covets the wealth, the position and -- most importantly -- the respect of Freddy Mays. Freddy Mays is anti-thetical to 'Young Gangster.' Freddy Mays is more than just his style and his money. He's been able to put his life into an enriching and rewarding order that 'Young Gangster' covets and resents -- his own is so deeply inadequate that he desperately mimics but can not replicate. Consider the final confrontation. McDowell is seeking both penance and approval from his former boss. Thewlis will only look on him with a mixture of pity and contempt. McDowell has the money, the clothing, the fancy apartment; his life is material but empty. Yes, he's "Gangster Number One," but as the title of the film cleverly puts it, he's also "Gangster: No One." I think the tie pin is a great example. Bettany covets the tie pin and what it represents: all of the things about Thewlis that he wants for himself. Thewlis gives it to him as a gesture. Bettany wears it proudly but it turns into a symbolic gesture of his own pathetic inadequacies. Thewlis later twists the knife when he tells McDowell that he doesn't need 'your money, your flat or your f**king tie pin.' Ouch.
This is a wonderful character study of inadequacy, almost a spiritual film of sorts. Bettany is awe-inspiring, McDowell reminds you of the greatness he's capable of and David Thewlis, who is always so good, gives a very restrained and counter-balancing performance. Tremendous work from the three main leads and all of the supporting characters as well. Having just watched the film last night, I'm still too close to it. I get the feeling though that my rating and my regard for it will grow in time. Better, in my opinion, than 'Sexy Beast' and a more serious companion to the Guy Ritchie contributions. Shudder with recollections of 'Hostel' when Bettany introduces Foreman to a grisly end. And if he tells you to look into his eyes? Keep an eye out for hatchets.
There are, however, more reasons to watch than just great acting. 'Gangster no. 1' is about the rise and fall of an extremely violent and unbalanced gangster. Malcolm McDowell plays the present day gangster who has risen to the top of London's criminal world. Has has spent 30 years ruthlessly and bloodily building a criminal empire on a foundation of his enemies bodies. Life is euphoric and gravy. Then he learns that the man he once worked for is getting out of prison. Life isn't so euphoric anymore. The film is largely a flashback as McDowell remembers his one-time friend and tries to decide how best to deal with his imminent return.
Paul Bettany plays McDowell's character in the flashbacks and it was a great bit of casting in both roles. I couldn't help but think of a young Alex turning into Bettany and then turning into McDowell. 'Young Gangster' is terribly complex. He can barely suppress his own psychosis and the sadistic rage that inevitably erupts because of it. He likes nice things and is envious of his boss (David Thewlis). Bettany and McDowell are haunted by the legacy of Thewlis for the entire film. Thewlis is liked, feared and respected by everyone. Bettany and McDowell are mostly just feared. Even that seems to be slipping away. At the beginning of the film McDowell gets up to go to the bathroom. The gangsters sharing the table at the restaurant with him make jokes at his expense almost as soon as he's out of earshot.
Is 'Young Gangster' homosexual? Based upon the almost level of jealousy and hatred he seems to have for the Saffron Burrows character whom Thewlis loves, I had to wonder. We see him alone the entire film however so another way to look at the jealousy is to regarding Burrows as an obstacle. She represents a sense of completion and fulfillment for Thewlis. In contrast, 'Young Gangster' is filled with inadequacy. He desperately covets the wealth, the position and -- most importantly -- the respect of Freddy Mays. Freddy Mays is anti-thetical to 'Young Gangster.' Freddy Mays is more than just his style and his money. He's been able to put his life into an enriching and rewarding order that 'Young Gangster' covets and resents -- his own is so deeply inadequate that he desperately mimics but can not replicate. Consider the final confrontation. McDowell is seeking both penance and approval from his former boss. Thewlis will only look on him with a mixture of pity and contempt. McDowell has the money, the clothing, the fancy apartment; his life is material but empty. Yes, he's "Gangster Number One," but as the title of the film cleverly puts it, he's also "Gangster: No One." I think the tie pin is a great example. Bettany covets the tie pin and what it represents: all of the things about Thewlis that he wants for himself. Thewlis gives it to him as a gesture. Bettany wears it proudly but it turns into a symbolic gesture of his own pathetic inadequacies. Thewlis later twists the knife when he tells McDowell that he doesn't need 'your money, your flat or your f**king tie pin.' Ouch.
This is a wonderful character study of inadequacy, almost a spiritual film of sorts. Bettany is awe-inspiring, McDowell reminds you of the greatness he's capable of and David Thewlis, who is always so good, gives a very restrained and counter-balancing performance. Tremendous work from the three main leads and all of the supporting characters as well. Having just watched the film last night, I'm still too close to it. I get the feeling though that my rating and my regard for it will grow in time. Better, in my opinion, than 'Sexy Beast' and a more serious companion to the Guy Ritchie contributions. Shudder with recollections of 'Hostel' when Bettany introduces Foreman to a grisly end. And if he tells you to look into his eyes? Keep an eye out for hatchets.