Just saw this film from 1980 again the other night. It is still as fresh as it was then. It's innovative in its story telling and the story itself, about how a London underworld figure tries to figure out who is after him, is riveting. Great performance from Hoskins and Helen Mirren as his moll. And one of the best last scenes ever.
What movie about gangsters holds up this well for you?
26 comments:
Patti, I recall liking THE UNTOUCHABLES the first time I saw it, a film that still holds for me.
GOODFELLAS for me, Patti.
State of Grace
I agree with Prashant, Patti. The Untouchables is at the top of my list.
To state the obvious: The Godfather
Jeff M.
Goodfellas/ The Godfather for me. Mr Crisp's top ten is pretty tasty.
http://neonmagazinescans.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/topten9.jpg
That is a good list, Paul. I think I like THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY because it shows how randomly power can be whisked away. All of these are great.
It's a fantastic film.And yes, there's always someone bigger and tougher than you.
I remember when FRIDAY opened. I happened to be at Murder Ink that day and Carol Brener was recommending it highly. I always like Bob Hoskins.
Jeff M.
Older film, The Roaring Twenties
More modern film, Godfather, Part 2
The English seem to have their own particular take on the gangster genre. In addition to The Long Good Friday, I also like The Krays and Sexy Beast.
Like them too. SEXY BEAST was so scary. GODFATHER, PART 2 would come right near the top of my list.
I hardly ever watch gangster movies. The two I will rewatch are Scarface and Goodfellas.
I'm with David and Paul: GOODFELLAS. I just picked up a new Blu-ray version of it and need to find time to watch it.
My favorite is probably MILLER'S CROSSING, though it's sort of rettro kitsch gangster. Still, the best story Dashiell Hammett never (exactly) wrote.
Graham, Miller's Crossing is a brilliant mix of Red Harvest and The Glass Key. I love that film, but not as much as Godfather 1 & 2, Roaring Twenties, Goodfellas.
I don't think I have ever seen ROARING TWENTIES.
The Asphalt Jungle, Gun Crazy, The Godfather 1 & 2.
Coppola's first two GODFATHER films for sure. GOODFELLAS and CASINO by Scorsese. I do love THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, too. I'd add the more recent THE LAYER CAKE to that, as well. But if I'm too see any Brit gangster before those, it has to be 1971's GET CARTER.
Loved GET CARTER. Michael Caine was really something. Don't think I have ever seen Asphalt Jungle or at least not since my childhood. LAYER CAKE was also good. And its sequel.
Haven't seen Layer Cake. I was also going to mention Gun Crazy as Cap'n Bob did. Also the insane Cagney of White Heat.
Interesting that no one so far has mentioned BOnnie and Clyde.
Jeff M.
Among those no one else, including Mr. QC, had yet mentioned:
ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW (along with THE BIG HEAT, another film based on a William McGivern novel...Philadelphia time...)
BOUND
M
RIFIFI
ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA
THE STING
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
BULLITT (or are the last two too much cop movies instead? THE ORGANIZATION might also be, as well as requiring perhaps some special pleading)
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (which doesn't quite require special pleading, though I'll freely admit LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN does, despite my fondness for it, as does THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS...or MACHETE)
Love RIFIFI. Have never seen M.
“Le Cercle Rouge
I, in turn, haven't seen that RED CIRCLE film yet. Definitely sounds promising.
And, of course, don't see the latter-day M first.
'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie' and 'Goodfellas' spring to mind. Sure, 'Bonnie & Clyde' also. 'Mean Streets.' French New Wave. British Kitchen Sink. 'Blue Velvet.' 'Sorcerer.'
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