MovieChat Forums > Gangster No. 1 (2000) Discussion > Paul Bettany saves this film

Paul Bettany saves this film

posted 13 years ago by PoppyTransfusion
6 replies | jump to latest

The use of two actors to play the same character didn't work and from I've read elsewhere was possibly a cynical marketing ploy. The best parts of the film were those when Bettany was on screen. He was not only a gangster but monstrous. As Karen remarks he has something ugly eating away inside of him and this is what we get to see.

It's a pity really as the cast were good, effective use of music and scene settings. The idea was brilliant too. Wish they'd pulled it off.

6/10

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[–] boonjj 13 years ago

definetly! bettany was the role, mcdowells character was nothing like bettany in any way. also he changed so much but everyone else stayed the same.... the movie ended when bettany disapeared

[–] PoppyTransfusion 13 years ago

the movie ended when bettany disapeared

Completely agree. I got quite impatient towards the end and disappointed too. Bettany was superb in this. Malice incarnate.

A taut thread ties her to me from which hangs the question 'can I trust you?'

[–] Rena_Mahone 9 years ago

I agree completely. This film could have been great, but unfortunately something didn't click 
Without Paul Bettany, it would have been nearly unwatchable. 6/10 only because of him.

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[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

I wonder what the film's director and producer(s) think of their decision to divide the gangster's role between a name and an upcoming actor. I hope they regret it. McDowell was more a rogue and less the psychopath than Bettany. The character was uneven as a result.

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[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

The character was uneven as a result.

Just a very odd decision IMO. Bettany gave a chillingly accurate performance and then of course there's other "minor details" such as the obvious height difference between the two.🐭

[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

hen of course there's other "minor details" such as the obvious height difference between the two

 Also the difference in portrayal. Bettany's gangster was a pure psychopath. McDowell's a caricature of the many roles he played.

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