Based on the book by Ken Bruen, "London Boulevard" is the story of a man newly released from prison who falls in love with a reclusive young movie star and finds himself in a duel with a vicious gangster.
It's been over a decade since we've had a good London gangster movie; for there was a time, not too long ago, where almost every other film had something to do with the British underworld. The last good gangster movie I'm referring to is, of course, Paul McGuigan's 'Gangster No.1' and though writer/director William Monahan's retro 60s pot-boiler is to 'Gangster No.1' what 'Kelly's Heroes' was to 'Overlord', it still makes for an entertaining 90 minutes of cinema.
Colin Farrell is excellent as an ex-henchman recently released from prison and trying to go straight: he gets a job as a bodyguard for reclusive actress on the verge of a nervous breakdown; Kieira Knightly, and the pair soon fall in love. Matters are complicated somewhat by menacing bisexual gangster and underworld kingpin; Ray Winstone who attempts to coerce Colin Farrell back into a life of crime. 'London Boulevard' is clearly influenced by the 1960s art-house movement and you can spot the 'New Wave' and Italian influences a mile off. Monahan makes great use of colour and his cinematography style in some of the interior scenes is a nod to Goddard's DP Raoul Coutard and to Douglas Slocombe's work in films like 'The Italian Job', 'Fathom' and 'The Buttercup Chain'.
Kieira Knightly has nervous and fragile down to a tee and her depiction of a celebrity harassed and frustrated by the trappings of fame is quite good whilst Colin Farrell makes for an understated, cool and charismatic lead, though he could have worked on his accent a little more. Ray Winstone, who'd been coasting his way through a number of Hollywood movies, is back with a vengeance in his best role since 'The Proposition'. Look out for two perversely funny and intense confrontations between Farrell and Winstone which set the screen ablaze: Their meeting in a restaurant and the part where he tries to make Farrell an accessory to murder feature some heavyweight bouts of electrifyingly good acting, and remind you of how great these guys can be when given the right script.
'London Boulevard' is a breezy, well acted and satisfactory London gangster movie with a nice soundtrack and some great performances by Winstone, Farrell and Knightly. It won't revolutionize the genre or make many 'Best Films' lists but its good for what it is. Give it a go.
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An ex-con from South London (Colin Farrell) tries his hand at starting over as a handyman for a young starlet (Keira Knightley) in this crime drama from The Departed's screenwriter William Monahan, who will make his directorial debut with this project. Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, and Anna Friel co-star in the GK Films production.An ex-con from South London (Colin Farrell) tries his hand at starting over as a handyman for a young starlet (Keira Knightley) in this crime drama from The Departed's screenwriter William Monahan, who will make his directorial debut with this project. Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, and Anna Friel co-star in the GK Films production. Actors Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Stephen Graham, Ben Chaplin & Ophelia Lovibond Director William Monahan Certificate 18 years and over Year 2010 Languages English Subtitles English
London-based crime drama based on the best-selling novel by Ken Bruen. Colin Farrell stars as Mitchell, a South London criminal who is released from prison after serving three years for a vicious attack he cannot even remember. In an attempt to leave the world of crime behind him, Mitchell gets a job as a security guard and handyman at the Holland Park mansion of reclusive young actress Charlotte (Kiera Knightley). As time passes the two begin to develop an emotional bond, but Mitchell's violent past eventually catches up with him - with disastrous results. David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Ben Chaplin, Eddie Marsan and Ray Winstone co-star.
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