Paul McGuigan directs Gangster No. 1, with a script from Johnny Ferguson, Louis Mellis and David Scinto. The cast includes David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Malcolm McDowell, Saffron Burrows, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Foreman and Eddie Marsan; John Dankworth composed the music and Peter Sova was responsible for the cinematography. Gangster 55 (played by McDowell and Bettany in his younger incarnation) reflects on a life filled with violence, detailing how he rose to prominence within the criminal world. The British gangster film was becoming increasingly popular around 2000. Guy Ritchie's Snatch would later impress reviewers that same year, while Ben Kingsley’s intense performance in Sexy Beast (also co-written by David Scinto and Louis Mellis) earned an Academy Award nomination; however, Gangster No. 1 is just as good as either of those films, despite not receiving the recognition they did – which seems unfair. Mostly taking place in the late sixties, with a strong sense of the period, the movie doesn't shy away from brutality, but avoids being excessively graphic with the violence and intensity that surrounds Gangster 55 (Bettany is exceptionally wild and frightening). The film’s strength lies in its character development; we see displays of greed, bloodlust, and a desire for power through unsettling depictions, all set against the backdrop of a seedy London underworld. It's not a film aiming to be embraced on a thematic level, but the excellent performances from everyone involved and the movie’s ability to grip you tightly—and never release its hold—make it an exciting look at wickedness. A must-see for anyone interested in the British gangster film resurgence of the early 2000s. 8/10

Source on TMDB