Rating: NNNNN
GANGSTER NO. 1 (Paul McGuigan) is yet another pointless flashback movie, with voice-over letting us in on the inane thoughts of a young hood on the make (Paul Bettany) who will grow up to become Malcolm McDowell’s grasping, malevolent crime lord. One can enjoy the over-the-top performances. McDowell seems to be auditioning for a bizarre production of Macbeth to be staged on the moon. The strong cast also includes David Thewlis as a 60s London mob boss whose apartment Austin Powers might find a bit gaudy, and Saffron Burrows as his moll. But the whole thing stinks of the proscenium, and the narration keeps telling us things we can see for ourselves. 100 minutes. Rating: NN
