I recorded this film off TV a few months ago as I'm generally a big fan of the coen brothers and whilst I knew very little about this film (Its not one that many of my friends appear to have seen/talked about) it looked to have a strong cast and the idea of a Coen take on 1940s noir was pretty irresistible. However I must say when I first sat down and put the film on (I made the oft made mistake of putting a film that requires your full attention on whilst in the middle of doing various other things therefore not delivering my full attention) I found it cold and difficult to engage with. The cinematography is stunning and the beauty of the simple but effective slow paced shots with long shadows and lingering smoke kept me interested for a while but I could not engage with the dry conversation and seemingly low pace of the plot development to begin with. The main protagonist is quiet by his own admission and it seemed that his voice-overs were the only real plot driver (I had other things to do and twice didn't get past the first 40 minutes) However I now admit that I was completely wrong about this film and it took a night where I was too tired to move off the sofa and finally gave this film the attention it deserved to really appreciate it. There are strong characters and a slow developing but ultimately gripping set of plots and themes behind the initially cold dialogue and beautiful shots. At times it is surprising, sometimes shocking and on occasion darkly comic but once you have watched this film properly it will get under your skin in the same manner as many of the best coen films and you will spend time pondering its motifs.
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Long Good Friday
(1980)
One of the best British gangster films
29 January 2009
I am often a bit wary of British Gangster films I have to admit. Whilst I genuinely think people in this country often undervalue the wealth of film directing and acting talent we have produced I do often feel that in recent years "gritty" British films have almost hit self parody and are full of mockney clichés. However over the years there have been some truly brilliant British gangster films (this, get carter and sexy beast are my favourites) and as much as I worship Scorsese etc it is sometimes refreshing to watch something closer to home. This film is one of the best portrayals I have ever seen of a mans world falling apart around him. Bob Hoskins plays an old school East End Villain at the point where his long built up empire is collapsing and his stubborn refusal to accept this leads to ever more desperate and violent attempts to stem the inevitable which perfectly portrayed making this a must see for anybody who is a fan of gritty, powerful and sometimes violent gangster films.
Mean Streets
(1973)
Brilliant......
29 January 2009
I watched this for the first time a few months back and must of seen it 5 or 6 times since. I've always been a fan of Scorsese films but never ventured further back than taxi driver before I bought this on DVD in sale. I have to admit I'm quite surprised the average rating is not above 8, whilst Mean Streets isn't as polished as some of Scorsese's later work it has an energy to it that is up there with his best. DeNiro is just brilliant in this film but Keitel deserves as much praise for his portrayal of a Charlie who is forever caught between his strict catholic morality and the lifestyles of the people he is surrounded with. This film still seems fresh and innovative today and some of the scenes perfectly blend exciting on screen action with sweet 1960s pop music (particuarly the early on pool room brawl!) It was interesting to read about the production of this film in easy riders and raging bulls and it appears that several mistakes were made during its release which lead to it not being the major success it should of been. This film was years ahead of its time and its almost impossible to imagine some of the energetic "cool" gangster films subsequent to this without the influence of Mean Streets (Pulp Fiction and Scorcese's own Goodfellas in particular) This film is a must see especially with anyone with a thirst for gangster films with believable characters and some great seemingly improvised dialogue.
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