Plot Summary – No Spoilers
Mitchel (Colin Farrell) has just been released prison and would rather not have any more violence in his life. Unfortunately, he is stupid enough to hang around his friend Billy (Ben Chaplin), who gets Mitchel more into trouble than any favor he might to for him. It is also because of Billy that Mitchel gets involved with the ruthless psycho gangster Gant (Ray Winstone). Gant tries to grant Mitchel’s loyalty, but Mitchel isn’t exactly tamable.
An ex-con trying to stay an ex-con is always difficult, if not impossible, but Mitchel’s bad choices, as well as his thirst to avenge his mate Joe get him deeper and deeper. He could have been free to run away or waste anyone he wanted, but unfortunately he has two weaknesses: his wacky sister (Anna Friel), and the movie star Charlotte (Keira Knightley) he is trying to protect and is falling in love with. What has a guy got to do?
**
The Movie
Now, London Boulevard is an interesting film. It’s deeply flawed in many areas, but it is weirdly fun to watch. Let’s break it down:
Keira Knightley:
Did you notice how I let Keira Knightley just be in the sidelines (of the plot summary)? It is because she really is just another tool for us to see where Mitchel’s choices are going to take him. It is probably intentionally ironic (intended by the writer/director) William Monahan –since Keira Knightley plays an actress who is just sick of being simply the bed buddy to the male star, only to help the audience find out more about him.
The flaws: (Spoilers!)
– Why does everyone think it is much more authentic if gangsters are saying the c-word, all the time? I mean really- do novelists (London Boulevard was based on the novel by Ken Bruen) and screenwriters (adapted by director William Monahan)?
Do they hang out with gangsters, count how many times they say the c-word in a minute and reflect it in the screenplay? I don’t think so. There is some f-word thrown in for good measure too. OK, so if there is going to be this much swearing, can we get some more variety? The dialogue gets very boring, very often.
– Why make Keira Knightley an ornament? Yes, she is the leading actress, but there is not much for her to do except to hang around, smoke and get depressed. There are barely a couple of conversations before they are in love. Yes, Colin Farrell is pretty charismatic and good-looking here. And Keira Knightley is the perfect damsel in distress. But we need more than just two of them chatting twice to see the connection/attraction/whatever.
– Why the hell is he not taking the job as her protector/bodyguard? He liked the girl. He liked the wacky friend Jordan (David Thewlis). Why not freaking take the job and never ever see Billy?
– He says he is never getting back in, but he is out for blood for his homeless friend. And he is out for blood, yet he grows a conscience at the last minute which will obviously bite him in the last minute. If a teenager is cold-blooded enough to kill an old homeless guy, he doesn’t deserve your mercy. Period. And if you are going to hunt him down, don’t let him know. And if you will let the whole town know you are after someone, finish the job when you have the chance.
– Could Ben Chaplin’s character be more of a loser? Yes, I get it we are not supposed to like him and he is supposed to be a scumbag, an excuse for a lowlife criminal but even so…it seems like a miracle his dumb character survived to see his 30s/40s.
– Are all paparazzi that disgusting, disturbing and idiotic? And it is a wonder how Mithcel kept his temper and cool for so long. I was expecting a beating at his first encounter.
The fun:
– The soundtrack is just awesome. It suits the mood perfectly and I want to own every single song used in the film.
– Colin Farrell is really good. A truly grey character couldn’t have been more likable. He seems pretty mild at first (for a criminal), but he gets more aggressive as his buttons are pushed and we get to see his dark side. And his dark side is truly cool.
– David Thewlis is a riot. His hippie/weed-smoking and apparently ready-for-anything-exciting character makes for a refreshing buddy/partner-in-crime for Mitchel.
And actually, this trio does win over all the flaws I listed.
The verdict:
A crime/drama of an ex-con – with some cool moments and a touch of romance thrown in. Fun and watchable, but could have been so much better. And it does need work on the dialogue and the IQ on its major character. But no, I don’t regret the 90+ minutes I spent watching it.
Currently 6.4 on IMDB. I was about to rate it a 6.5- too intriguing to be a 6, and missing too much to be a 7.
Favorite Mitchell Line/Scene:
Mitchel (to Gant): See what you have to understand, Rob, if I was a gangster you’d be the first to fucking die. I’d not work for you. I’d kill you and take everything you’ve got.
Gant: Oh.
Mitchel: If I were a gangster. That’s why you don’t want me to be a gangster. That’s why nobody wants me to be a gangster. ‘Cause I could not stop if I started. Do you get it? Don’t ask again.
Fun note: Ophelia Lovibond-from No Strings Attached (the girl who slept with Ashton Kutcher, and later his dad Kevin Kline) has a small part. As it turns out, she is British and her NSA accent is real. Oh, and she is playing a bitch again.
MORE ON THE STARS OF THE MOVIE:
Colin Farrell:
Pride and Glory starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell
The Recruit starring Colin Farrell, Al Pacino and Bridget Moynahan
5 Movies to Watch on Fast Forward feat. The New World starring Colin Farrell
Ricky Gervais on Farrell- 2010 Golden Globes
Keira Knightley:
Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen
Ray Winstone:
Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes feat. Ray Winstone
Edge of Darkness starring Mel Gibson feat. Ray Winstone