London Boulevard

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with Harry Mitchel (Colin Farrell) (convicted of GBH under never-explained circumstances) leaving prison. He is propositioned by his friend and former partner-in-crime, Billy Norton (Ben Chaplin), to live in a nice 'acquired' apartment, but on condition he work for Billy's criminal boss. On his way to a 'welcome back' party, Mitchel saves a woman, Penny (Ophelia Lovibond), from being mugged. At the party, Billy propositions Mitchel again. Mitchel is told by Billy and their contact, Danny (Stephen Graham), that his sister, Briony (Anna Friel) is in the basement, and he "saves" her from being raped by a drug addict. Mitchel meets Penny for a drink elesewhere, and she offers him a job to help her friend, a reclusive famous 'retired' young actress, Charlotte.
Mitchel goes to a train station to visit his friend Joe, a blind homeless Big Issue salesman and gives him a knife to protect himself. The next day, Mitchel meets Charlotte (Keira Knightley) and her friend, Jordan (David Thewlis). Charlotte is constantly hounded by the paparazzi perpetually stationed outside her home, taunting and photographing anyone who enters or leaves. Mitchel is offered the job to 'assist' and Jordan gives him a tour of the mansion, including a collection of paintings that look like Francis Bacon's studies on Velazquez screaming Popes and a garage full of Charlotte's ex-husband Tim's cars. At his apartment, corrupt police Detective Bailey (Eddie Marsan) visits Mitchel and tells him to avoid Billy and forces a small bribe from Mitchel.
Mitchel talks to Billy about Detective Bailey, whom Billy can't stand. Joe is mugged, then brutally beaten by two 16-year-old footballers from the estate and left for dead; and one of the boys takes Joe's knife. At the hospital, Dr Sanji Raju (Sanjeev Bhaskar) lets Mitchel visit Joe, who wants Mitchel to avenge his death. The next day, Billy tells Mitchel that he knows about the car collection and that his boss wants to steal them. At Joe's funeral, Dr Raju tells Mitchel that he wants to date Briony, which Mitchel accepts. Mitchel goes to the pub and asks Danny to find out as much as he can about the two footballers. That night, Mitchel is kidnapped by Billy and taken to his boss, Rob Gant (Ray Winstone), who insists that Mitchel collect money for him.
Charlotte and Mitchel escape from the paparazzi to her mansion in the countryside. Charlotte mentions to Mitchel that something happened to her in Italy, which is implied to be a drug overdose. Jordan reveals to Mitchel that in this incident she was raped by a drug addict, who never got caught but is currently on life support after overdosing on quaaludes, administered by Jordan.
Gant threatens Detective Bailey to stop him making Mitchel pay bribes. Later that evening, Mitchel and Billy meet Gant in a garage, where Gant shoots a black man, whom Gant was led to believe by Billy to be one of the Nation of Islam members who beat up Mitchel and scared off Billy while earlier collecting for Gant. Gant yells at Billy, but Mitchel protects Billy and yells at Gant, who claims Mitchel said to kill anyone. Gant tells Mitchel he is now an 'accessory' to the killing, and to meet him at Criterion Restaurant the next night, for an unknown arrangement.
Charlotte tells Mitchel she loves him. Later, Mitchel and Gant meet and Gant assigns Mitchel to collect money in Streatham, Clapham and Kennington. Gant reveals that the main mugger-footballer has a future and is being scouted by professional teams, and implies that Mitchel had best leave him alone. Mitchel tells Gant that if he were a gangster, Gant would be the first person he'd kill and would take everything Gant has, but claims he isn't a gangster and walks away. Gant, to put Mitchel in trouble, waylays the doctor who owns Mitchel's apartment and after Gant rapes him, he orders his henchmen, Fletcher (Matt King) and Beaumont (Nick Bartlett) to kill him. Mitchel learns who the footballer is and follows him into a tunnel, planning to shoot him, but has a change of heart at the last moment, and lets the young man walk away unaware.
Mitchel visits Charlotte and tells her that he loves her; the two sleep together. Mitchel sees Billy's van and attacks Billy, who says that Gant sent him to kill Mitchel; he warns Mitchel to look for "a big Bosnian fucker". Mitchel borrows one of Charlotte's husband's Rolls Royces and confronts Billy at a pub. He beats Billy, who says Gant will kill everyone whom Mitchel loves, and Mitchel steals the money Billy collected for Gant. Mitchel meets his sister at a restaurant in order to persuade her to get out of the country so that she is out of Gant's reach. He gives her a train ticket and money, but she belittles his worry and ignores the warning. Mitchel and Jordan find Billy's dead body in the front garden of Charlotte's home, and the Bosnian, named Storbor, standing outside the gate.
Mitchel asks Jordan to help him kill Storbor and the two follow Storbor to a nightclub where they meet him and the drug addict from the party named Whiteboy (Jamie Campbell Bower). In the final scenes of the film, the story is resolved as Mitchel and Gant each race to prevail over the other.

Tags: revenge, murder, violence, romantic

Review:
Because I could not stop if I started."I mainly wanted to see London Boulevard because of the pairing of Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell, and that part of the movie certainly didn't disappoint me.
Beyond Farrell and Knightley's hounded actress, Anna Friel, David Thewlis, and Ray Winstone each help carry the story along with interesting roles that they play just perfectly.
The movie had promise - directed by The Departed's writer William Monahan and starring an eclectic bunch of British stars Colin Farrell, Keira Knightly, Ray Winstone, David Thewlis and Anna Friel.
Needless to say, Winstone doesn't take kindly to being refused and sets his sights on hurting Mitchell as revenge (hasn't he got better things to do?) The movie doesn't ring true at every juncture and the only pleasure the viewer grab, is when watching Thewlis's thinly veiled Withnail impression or with the music on show.Do yourself a favour and watch Layer Cake instead..
Monahan manages to assemble a pretty interesting cast for the job matching big name attractions notably Colin Farrell for the lead of Mitchell an ex-con trying to place his life on the straight and narrow who finds complications aplenty but centrally in the shape of Keira Knightley playing Charlotte, a reclusive actress in need of Mitchell's muscle in order to fend off pesky paparazzi, perform some odd jobs around her abode whilst also seeking comfort in his softer side when making use of Mitchell as a confidante.The strength of the piece is in the supporting cast who mainly transpire as conduits for Mitchells struggle with the temptations of a potential return to his old ways.
There are also roles for Ben Chaplin as a blundering hood whilst Stephen Graham and Eddie Marsan are shamefully under used in their minor roles.As you might be thinking there is a lot a going on here and that's sort of where Monahan gets into trouble, the narrative is littered with plot-holes and semi developed ideas and characters such as Anna Friel who pops in and out the story as a Mitchell's troubled sister, this is largely a product of the derivative nature of the project.
It's not a perfect film by any means, but capable direction, and solid performances from a primarily solid British and Irish cast, create a competent directorial debut for Monahan.Mitchell (Colin Farrell) has just been released from Pentonville after a three year sentence for assault, when he exits the prison he is picked up by long-time partner in crime, and local enforcer, Billy (Ben Chaplin), who takes Mitchell to a party in his honour.
But when the leading figure in the London underworld, Mr Gant (Ray Winstone) comes looking to place Mitchell high up in his crime organization, he must find a way to refuse the advances of such a dangerous man, while also protecting those closest to him.For the first ten-to-fifteen minutes of the film, Colin Farrell's forced middle-class cockney accent takes centre stage, but once he settles into the role, his performance takes limelight as a sociopathic criminal with somewhat of a heart.
Monahan really missed a trick, by failing to provide Winstone's character with any further depth.Also beside the main story as Mitchell battles his growing love for the reclusive actress and the life of a straight man alongside that of his violent past, and potential gangster future, is the sub-plot of Mitchell's old homeless friend Joe (Alan Williams) who is killed ruthlessly by a couple of youths and Mitchell's subsequent attempts to find out who is responsible.
'London Boulevard' is a proficient first effort for Monahan, and while the film contains flaws, which you expect from a first-time director plying his trade, it is also an engaging gangster drama which is smartly written, and incredibly well-acted by many of the great British and Irish actors at the moment..
It stars Colin Farrell, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone, Ben Chaplin, Keira Knightley and Anna Friel.
Music is by Sergio Pizzorno and cinematography by Chris Menges.After serving his stretch for GBH, Harry Mitchel (Farrell) returns to his manor and finds gangland boss Rob Gant (Winstone) wants him as one of his charges.Written and directed by the man who co-wrote The Departed, it's not hard to guess what sort of tone London Boulevard is set at.
Farrell is good value as a tough guy, Winstone does what he does best, menacing of course, while Thewlis steals the film as a wired cool cat with menace surprisingly lurking in is heart.As a whole it fails to hit all the right spots, but enough in here for neo-noir fans to feed on as an appetiser to a more fulfilling noir meal.
Colin Farrell is totally credible as a tough guy but the movie features other stunning performances like Keira Knightley and Ray Winstone, who make the film pleasant and interesting.
I was frustrated actually because it had so much potential but the vague jumpy plot, confusing script and dull direction made this an unremarkable watchIts set in South London, a crime drama that follows Colin Ferrell as ex-con Mitchel, trying to go straight upon his release from prison.
He's also got; a crazy, strung out sister, accompanies Billy on rent collection trips, gets pulled into a revenge thing and is soon being forced back into a life of crime by Billy's mob boss the very nasty (Ray Winstone) who will stop at nothing to get Mitchel to work for him.Colin Ferrell is very good here, unfortunately all the characters are painted kinda lifeless and the story at times confusing, or not spending enough time on any one thing.
Blurring lines between what it is a harder, meaner British gangster film of old and what might be conceived as a lighter, more comically imbued piece reminiscent of far recent-a gangster episodes, American born William Monahan, here debuting behind the camera whilst working off of his own script, weaves an enjoyable crime drama from a source material that knows its place; realises its inspirations and constructs a nourishing character driven tale predominantly operating within the realms of archetype.Colin Farrell plays the lead, a young Englishman named Mitchell fresh from the confines of a jail cell now out and about as summer comes to an end looking for some kind of work amidst the mingling with some old friends; former criminal cohorts and loose family members.
Additionally, Mitchell's observing of some billboards housing Charlotte looking glamorous as he nears her guarded compound sees several of them change colour from red to blue, hinting at such a duality and mixture of identities, while his arrival at her dwelling to a song on the soundtrack blaring out the lyrics "I'm your man....." wholly reiterates his cause for being there.Complications arise when Ray Winstone's Robert Gant enters proceedings, a Rolls-Royce owning; chauffeur driven heavy weight London gangster with a short fuse; a clan of tough heavies and a penchant for regressing back to a disturbed childhood every time he violently eliminates somebody.
Having seen some of the reviews and ratings for London Boulevard i have to admit i was expecting a bit of a turkey but as it happens this is a really good , stylish London gangster movie.Despite straying from his cockney accent a couple of times , Colin Farrell is extremely impressive as an ex con who is trying to go on the straight and narrow despite a gangland boss ( Ray Winstone ) doing his very best to recruit him.
Besides Farrell you have the lovely Keira Knightley and the young Ophelia Lovibond (a name probably unknown for many but a face pretty recognizable) and the two British actors Ray Winstone, David Thewlis and Stephen Graham.
I would have been more interested in a film where Colin bangs all these hot actresses attached to this messy project than to see a "whatever" type of movie.The story mainly is about this guy Mitchell (Colin Farrell) who just out of prison gets hired by this beautiful actress Charlotte (Keira Knightley) to protect her from the paparazzi and other interferences in her life.
His role overbalances this film into the cartoonish and what could have been a really nicely done film turns into something bordering on the buffoonish.It's a good attempt at doing something new with the British class movie but you never get to feel truly involved, in addition, the film is weakened by an ending that should move us and just leaves us empty.Liked the themes and the chemistry between the leads a lot and they should have gone with that.
Yet the cast of actors is so strong that they overcome these problems and ultimately give us a terrifyingly real glimpse at the low life happenings in that major metropolis.Mitchel (Colin Farrell, looking better than he has in years) has just been released from jail, an experience he never wants to face again, but his old friends such as Billy (Ben Chaplin) tempt him to get back into big crime.
Colin Farrell as the good, redeemed macho sounds too artificial, only physically capturing when shot dressed in a suit, Keira Knightley does her best to make the story at least watchable till the end, probably just because we want to see how their chemistry will turn out.
This movie could have easily been an 8 or 9 if it wasn't for the lackluster finale.Colin Farrell did a great job at the role in this movie; as with most of his films.I get it directors, you guys want to shock and awe.
Take any Tarantino/Ritchie gangsters movie, Carlito's way, Sexy Beast, some fragrance ads, shake well and the result is London Boulevard.Farrell is Mitchel, a gangster released from prison who wants to stay "clean" - major cliché - He has a slutty sister (Friel as Briony, the most annoying character in the movie) and a sleazy business associate (Chaplin as Billy, with greasy long hair and speaking with a thick accent).Very randomly Mitchel gets a job as bodyguard for Charlotte, a millionaire movie star, hunted by paparazzi.
I could hardly hear a word he said because - I guess - his voice coach suggested that whispering makes a criminal seem more dangerous.None of the characters is sympathetic: Mitchel is as violent as his associates, Charlotte's problem is that she is too rich and famous, Winstone is a brutal thug, Briony is a silly slut, Billy a coward, etcSub-plots and characters (the beggar, the policeman, Charlotte's live-in friend, the doctor) appear and disappear randomly and way too late the movie reaches its plagiarist ending.PS the soundtrack is good though, very Swinging London.
The movie also has a truly great supporting cast, with actors such as David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Ben Chaplin all involved.The thing that also helped to save the movie, was the fact that this remains a very well made film.
Ray Winstone is wasted in the most clichéd and predictable gangster imaginable, although Anna Friel is very sexy, I'll give her that.London BOULEVARD isn't all bad - it's fast-paced and has lots of twists and turns to keep you watching, of course - but at the end of the day it offended me with its glib attitude and refusal to provide originality in any way, shape or form.
ODD London GANGSTER REVENGE LOVE STORY about Mitchel (colin farell) going straight with actress /painter Charlotte(kiera knightlie) then going back with gangland boss Gant( ray winston).
For me this film was a complete waste of time for a couple of reasons; I don't like how every character is introduced, it's almost as if you're seeing the final part of a story without a beginning and middle to each character and leaves you having work out who they are, who they are associated with and what's their main purpose in the film.The other bit that caught me unawares was how quick the scenes were, the film looked like a story half complete but completed in a rush, the killings were too quick without any real background to them or suspense building for example; one minute he's on the phone to his sister then the next scene he's all suited and booted in France then the next clip he kills one of the biggest gangsters in the film.I struggled to get into the movie, found it hard to relate with characters and was generally complexed by the whole storyline which was summed up by two lads killing Collin Farrell at the end..It's a confusing story between a busker, a promising footballer stroke hood rat killing one of the biggest villains in the movie, an over the top involvement on paparazi for a women who appeared to be stuck in a house despite having millions..What I would say is, the little stories before Ray killed his victims was very chilling..
Some characters are useless and they are there just to be there, like Jordan(David Thewlis) with an extra unnecessary essence.Colin Farrell did his best.According to the story line "...which puts him in direct confrontation with one of London's most vicious gangsters".
Colin Farrell plays a very similar role to "In Bruges", a recently released criminal who decides to mend his ways but forced into bad company by gangster, Ray Winstone who plays the character with perfection to scare.
That's what transpired when Keira Knightley's character Charlotte meets Colin Farrell's Mitchel initially, setting the stage and sowing the seed for a thick romantic angle in London Boulevard.Based upon the novel by Ken Bruen and adapted for the screen by William Monahan, who got his fair share of fame from adapting the Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs into Martin Scorsese's The Departed, London Boulevard had a lot of good things on its side to guarantee success but its potential got lucked out through some astonishingly perplexing pace and development, with aspects of it feeling rushed yet stagnating at the same time.
Monahan's debut directorial feature film, it goes to show his inexperience in helming what would be a Brit gangster movie, riddled with clichéd moments and characters that made it a mediocre effort at best.Colin Farrell's Mitchel is a man just released from prison, and as far as stories go there are a dime a dozen of tales where the anti-hero decides to turn over a new leaf after a jail term, but finding himself inevitably sucked back into the life of violence, with the adage of living and dying by the sword being that constant reminder.
Colin Farrell is a tough guy who is hired to act as pseudo-bodyguard to a reclusive, neurotic film star (Keira Knightley), after which all sorts of freak occurrences and oddball Brit-bag characters get in the way.
Then he gets a job caring for Charlotte (Keira Knightley) a reclusive actress constantly besieged by the paparazzi, but the big Crime Boss, Gant (Ray Winstone), wants Mitchel to come and work for him.
With big names like Colin Farrell and Kiera Knightly you might be fooled into thinking that the movie must be good and it could have been if only some of those swear words were replaced with something that gave the characters believable motivations for the things they do in this film.
London Boulevard, a crime caper kind of a movie stars Keira Knightley and Colin Farrel in the lead.
The films starts with Colin Farrel's character Mitchel getting out of prison after three years.He decides to go straight.He takes a job of protecting this young out of work actress Charlotte that Keira Knightley's playing who is quite unsocial and reclusive in nature and is quite paranoid with the surrounding paparazzi.Charlotte lives with Jordon played by David Thewlis who plays his part exceptionally well.The problems start when Gant who is a big time don becomes interested in Mitchel.You'll get the idea if you have seen Michael Mann's Thief as this film's outline is quite similar but they are totally different films.Keira has little to do in the movie, though i haven't read the novel this film is based on but I'm sure Keira's character in the novel would have been much more developed than what we see in the film and to make this story work that was essential.The chemistry between the leads has few moments but they are not fully realized and it feels chopped off.Although the film was beautifully scripted but the acting sometimes looked forced and quite unnatural at times.Only David Thewlis catches your eyes every time he's on the screen.Colin Farrel never makes me care about his situation or his dilemma.London Boulevard doesn't quite finds its foot between its romance and violence and sadly stays quite mediocre throughout.Through last twenty something minutes promise to be fulfilling but they are undone by the ending with what we see and what we don't.Its a nice time spender but you don't get a reward back from it and that's what makes it so disappointing.Its a dart that misses the board..
i don't know where to start this film is full of great British actors/actresses why is it so bad ..was at a loss on a Sunday afternoon pulled up sky anytime saw cast list load and go .....so disappointing just does not work guys look great girls look hot locations spot on but story like a bad episode of the Sweeney the music is really intrusive 60s/70s rubbish thats really too loud i fell asleep 3/4 OK the way through i awoke asked my wife any good?reply ...rubbishthis is the first time I've reviewed on this site i love Farrell and Winston such a shame honestly with its potential this is on of the worst films i have ever seen.
It doesn't help that the main plot - will Farrell become a proper gangster, or will he end up with Keira Knightley's way-too-good-for-him actress - is hardly new.
"Layer Cake" was another really good British gangster movie and it is this film that London Boulevard tries so desperately to emulate.
It is a real pleasure to see so many great actors, all at the top of their game: Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone, Thewlis.