London Boulevard (2010)

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

I loved this film. It is extremely well cast; by that I mean each actor fit their character perfectly. I wouldn't change any of them. It really is more of an ironic black comedy than a "gangster" film. I believe the hardest role is that of Harry Mitchel, played by Colin Farrell (no surprise there). Mitchel is a gangster by nature, but wants to change; and, has the moral fortitude and character to do so. I think one of the best played roles is that of Anna Friel. Her performance as the character Briony (Mitchel's alcoholic sister) is absolutely brilliant. I rolled with laughter at some of her lines and stunts. I think director William Monahan (an absolutely stunning writer/screenwriter) didn't have Mitchel go through with killing the footballer (played by Jamie Blackley; an up and coming young actor) just to upset the audience. It reminds me of the same ironical reason in Joel Schumacher's film "Tigerland" that Private Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell's breakout, star-making role) ends up going to Vietnam, after getting so many people out of the Army. Lastly, in the "Making Of" featurette short on the Blu ray disc for this film, director Monahan mentions that during the scene in which Rob Gant (played perfectly by Ray Winstone) takes the egg sarnie (sandwich) from Det. Bailey (played by the extremely versatile Eddie Marsan), he shot the scene at that very spot for a personal reason, but doesn't say what it was. I believe it is because that is the same exact spot in Stanley Kubrick's film "A Clockwork Orange" where Alex, played by Malcolm McDowell (in the role of a lifetime) is leaning against the railing when the drunk he and his "droogs" (gang) had previously beat up asks him, "Can you spare some cutter me brother?" and recognizes Alex, who is then beaten up by all the other drunks.

A surprising movie in many ways, Londm Boulevard rewards the watcher. It's filled with classy British acting, and a great script. A slow, but stylish story, which kept me entertained way better than expected, with a poster looking quite more like a crime story. It's bleach, no doubt! Well, criminal it is, for sure. But it's more brutal than you expect, based upon a novel by Ken Bruen, of which I knew nothing about in beforehand.Mitchel gets out after three years in prison, determined that he wants to get away from the criminal scene, which is obviously a merciless environment. But that's almost impossible, as his old pals are all expecting him to do jobs. He takes a job as a lifeguard for a famous actor, but is this his way out. Well he thinks so, though his led environment both is difficult to get rid of, and the marks on his gangster soul is also difficult to run from.Colin Farrell is better here than I've ever seen him. Keira Knightley dies a good job, but doesn't steal the screen from him. But then the film is followed by great acting in minor roles by a load of great British actors. I must say I started loving each and every one of them, down to the brief encounter with the youngsters in extra-roles. What a great instructor director William Monahan is!And not only that! The film is scattered with a great soundtrack which is almost worth watching the film blindfolded! Starting off with (what I believe is a '66) Rolling Stones tune, we follow up with the Yardbirds, Pretty Things, the 22-20's, the Nox Tops, Drek and Cluve, the Electric Banana, the Knickerbockers, Kasanian, Bob Dylan, Annu Malik and a lot of other great stuff which I don't recognize, all with a sixties feel. Simply marvelous! And very suitable for the flick as well. Yummy! This was well suited.Maybe the best British gangster movie I've seen, if you not count in the couple which are all a big laugh as well. Because this is hasn't got the wit of "Snatch." or "Two smoking barrels", but is way more serious.This film was so great that I watched it a second time, on which I added an extra star! Look out for this film maker! I certainly will!

Energetic and thickly plotted British Gangster Movie with some Talent both on and off the Screen. It is an expected violent and scuzzy affair with momentum that keeps one interested if confused at times. There are so many Characters and Subplots that it is better to just strap in and enjoy the Rocking and Rolling.With its Sixties Soundtrack of fuzz-tone and angst it can't help but remind one of Scorsese because there is so much of it. That's not necessarily a bad thing. What is a bad thing is some ill advised use of undeveloped and mishandled side Stories. A suggestion might be to eliminate or develop the Bodyguard stuff and enhance the Sister's Story, since that seems to be dear to our Anti-Hero's Heart.Anyway, there is more here than needed and things come off as jigsaw puzzle pieces in the wrong box. But it is engaging with its despicable Thugs (one actually brags he has killed Babies while laughing about it), and a perverted, ruthless Kingpin. This is not airy-fairy-wacky and frivolous like so many Lock and Stock rips, it is a rather serious and downward look at the always interesting crusty Criminal Element.

Now there is violence in the real world - and violence in movies. London Boulevard is clearly a movie written and directed by people who know about the movies, but little of the real world. Farrell's accent is atrocious, Winstone over acts his socks off and Steven Graham & Eddie Marsan are wasted in minor roles. There is nothing in this film that is believable or compelling. I mean what or who is the character played by David Thewlis? And what is eating Knightley's character ? Now I love a good violent B movie with no pretensions other than to entertain- my problem is with films like this that pretend to be something more than they are. And this clearly has pretensions to be some kind of Scorsese knock off - and with a $25 million budget it should be much much better than it is.