Good movie but grossly overrated

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

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.

Just another British gangster flick? That's what I was afraid of. It starred Colin Farrell, so I thought I would have to at least give it a try. Farrell, like most actors, has a limited range, but when he fits a role, he usually excels, as he does in this flick. Of course he plays the brooding, soulful, powder keg criminal with a heart of gold (whose sister, well acted by some relatively unknown performer, is a mentally disturbed hooker with a heart of stone). Very pleasantly, the storyline, which is punctuated with some pretty rough violence and a killer soundtrack, is quite unpredictable (at least, I thought so). Even though I watched it a couple of days ago, I'm still not certain about how I feel about the ending, which will likely leave a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths. Still, I can't say that I saw where the plot was going, or where it was going to end up, which is one of the characteristics I value most in a film experience. Because my mind hasn't made complete peace with the ending, I'm holding back full marks, although I think there are arguably legitimate artistic reasons for how it was all wrapped up.

It's too bad the rest of the film was not as interesting as the graphics used in the opening and closing credits (I don't think talking about the closing credits can be described as a "spoiler"). This is the kind of film I would describe as a British version of the American genre "mumble-corp". It's one of the few times I wished I had set my preferences to show subtitles along with the English version of the film. The greatest crime perpetrated in this film is that good actors capable of so much better actually got paid for the rote performances they all turned in. The British gangster genre is something that stands on its own for the sheer villainy of the bad guys. However, the histrionic levels of punishment meted out by these gangsters is so over the top that you have to ask yourself: "Was that really necessary?". In the words of the late Toronto film critic, John Harkness, "Wait until it comes out in video and then don't rent it."

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.