gangster no . 1 show the rise and fall of a prominent english gangster . malcolm mcdowell be gangster 55 and tell the story in voice over and and paul bettany shine a the young gangster give a great performance and which carry the film from cookie cutter gangster film and to one of the best . this film be fill with inspiration from many others and such a goodfellas and reservoir dog and get shorty and etc . while some do work and such a look into my eye and others do not and mcguigan and near the end of the film and fast forward through decade in just a couple of minute and we do not feel like we be with these people throughout their reign of terror in england . the film do have bit of originality and such a the torture while we see the fpv of the victim and fade in and out in his dying minute and a the killer stand over his body and continue the slaughter . paul bettany show how good he be in this film a he carry it to another level . his eye in his look into my eye scene be so hollow and terrify that you know if he be interrogate you and that he could and probably would kill you at anytime . he have the look in his sharp suit and the style . it a shame no award go his way . mcdowell and to me in this film be a little bit of and i do not know how to say it and but he do not do all that much for me . the rest of the cast hold up well and blend well with the story line and environment they be put in . the script be sharp and have a goodfellas or reservoir dog feel to it and the goodfellas aspect show the rise and fall and where a reservoir dog and come from it dialouge . i have never hear the word cnt use so many time . the film take it time to showcase the rise of this young gangster from a common thug and to a crime lord . the one thing that do out me off though be the fact the he be just pick up out of a bar and give a spot . when freddie go to prison and that when the young gangster take his spot in be no . 1. year go by and freddie finally be release and while mcdowell eagerly await his return and he expect some conflict and but what he get be a let down and i would not ruin what happen and but you would expect something explosive . so gangster no . 1 showcase great performance from the actor involve and show a great story that take it time and instead of bang bang and youre dead . the film just lack that one special thing to take it to greatness and above and beyond those other movie and but for now and it can just be the one to stand out .