Paul McGuigan
Gangster no. 1

This film is a true, small great masterpiece.

The difference between The Godfather and Gangster No.1 is similar to that between a big café downtown and a small neighborhood bar. Surely the quality is better at the café (if you're willing to spend ten euros for a sandwich and a fruit juice). But in the neighborhood, the clientele is usually more interesting and the service is faster (you can't stay long if you're not from around there). Result: I choose the small bar, despite the risks the choice involves.

The protagonist of this film is evil. And few know how to play the bad guy as well as Malcolm McLaren (his performance in A Clockwork Orange alone earns him a spot on the short list of my favorite actors).

McLaren (real name Taylor), born and raised in the metropolitan area of Leeds, in this film plays a man who has a true criminal mentality. And he destroys all the cinematic criminal clichés: he is not the immature man fascinated by the underworld like in Goodfellas; he is not the responsible man who finds himself having to manage a traditionally mafia family like Michael Corleone; he is not the neighborhood protector like Chazz Palminteri's character in A Bronx Tale; he is not the popular hero like Dillinger; he is not the maniac of Natural Born Killers; he is not the killer with a code of honor like Ghost Dog. Nor is he the hitman with a heart of gold like the romantic, mawkish and improbable Léon.

"The criminal" (we'll call the protagonist that, as he is never named during the film) is ambitious, sadistic yet clear-headed, arrogant but not vulgar, evil, truly evil inside. Cunning but not intelligent. Because if he were intelligent, he wouldn’t be a criminal. He is a bloodthirsty dog, but with style. Whose only goal is to be the "number one," to have power, a reputation as a tough guy, and to look down on ordinary workers from the height of his monetary fortune.

To counterbalance this character there is Freddie Mays, an authoritative gang leader, charismatic, charming, with a beautiful woman by his side who loves only him. A violent man but who retains his humanity. Who addresses his henchmen with a "please," but breaks their faces if they step out of line. "A real man," as the protagonist admits at the beginning of the film. The man he can never be, whose level he can never reach, even by killing all the bosses in town, robbing all the banks, and building the worst reputation.

The criminal is initially fascinated by Mays, by his intelligence, his tailor-made Italian suits, and his limited edition watches. Then this feeling turns into an obsession, a visceral, envious, and evil hatred. The criminal can feel admiration, but it is quickly followed by envy. Because the criminal is in competition with everyone. He is incapable of feeling sympathy for anyone, and that is what makes him a criminal.