A story about wealth, envy and, obviously, gangsters. Nothing outstanding, but it has a great story to tell and Paul's superb performance.

In the end, no one wants Freddie's chair. Bettany/McDowell's sociopath doesn't really want any of the trappings of his success, but seemed to have found some meaning in struggle. When none remained, he was gone too. I don't know whether this film makes sense. Does sociopathy collapse in on itself?

Unhinged, menacing and brutal. Psychotic performances from Bettany and McDowell make it.

Not bad, not that great either iirc. Good cast, though.

"...a handsomely ugly affair, well dressed enough to make a few friends, but tough enough to make just as many enemies."

Excellent.

A pretty typical British gangster film highlighted by a couple of excellent acting performances. Thewlis and Bettany both shine as violent but sophisticated thugs.

engaging

Bettany is fascinating as a sociopathic aspirant, and Thewlis is also great as the model of gangster glamour. McDowell, whom I usually love, is fine in his own sequences, but his narration occasionally muddles the force of the film, and the films many artificial editing techniques often fall flat and feel gimmicky. The solid story doesn't fare as well as it could because the script and editing are not as restrained as they should be.

What does this movie want from me? It's just a load of epigonic gangster movie cliches with nothing new or interesting to add.

Mesmerising performance from Bettany makes all the difference. Don't expect Richie-esque twattery; this is deeply unpleasant, ignorant, violent bastards being shitty at each other. Malcolm McDowell wobbles his normal line of hammy and good.

Not in the same league as Sexy Beast or Layer Cake, but it has its moments.