Since the 1930s, audiences have been fascinated and enthralled by gangster movies and the characters who choose a life in the underbelly of the criminal world. With classic films likeThe Public Enemy,Angels With Dirty Faces, andLittle Caesar, the gangster genre rose to become one of the most popular throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood. By the New Hollywood Movement,Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfatherredefined and revitalized the genre, paving the way for a new generation of gangster films and fans.
There are a few requirements for a successful, memorable gangster film, such as a compelling story, authentic atmosphere, and captivating musical score. However,the performances are the heart and soul that can either make or break a mobster picture. Through the years, there has been an endless list of stunning performances, but some, such asJoe Pesci’s inGoodfellasandRobert De Niro’s as a young Vito Corleone inThe Godfather: Part II, are considered to be flawless gangster performances.
10Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace
‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
Uma Thurmanstars inQuentin Tarantino’s 1994 filmPulp Fictionas a mob boss’s girlfriend, Mia Wallace.Pulp Fictionfollows a unique story format featuring several working segments and while Thurman’s character is only featured in one part with co-starJohn Travolta, it is easily one of the most memorable in the entire film. Thurman has a unique beauty with mesmerizing eyes that speak more about her character than the few words she says. While she is visibly striking, she also airs a sense of confidence that is seductive, similar to that of a classic femme fatale.
Thurman’sperformance in this Tarantino classicis beyond stellar and escalates to a level of intensity after she accidentally mistakes heroin for cocaine. As Travolta’s character races to save her life, Thurman flails about in the speeding vehicle like a lifeless rag doll on the verge of death’s doorstep. Once she is revived, her shocking reaction to a large needle sticking out of her chest is the cherry on top ofThurman’s pristine and unforgettable performance.
Pulp Fiction
9James Cagney as Tom Powers
‘The Public Enemy’ (1931)
James Cagneyis the epitomeof the gangster genre, and his timeless performance in the classic filmThe Public Enemyis not only the definition of perfection but is also credited with establishing the archetype of the silver screen mobster. Cagney stars as aspiring gangster Tom Powers, who starts as a petty thief and works his way up the ranks, becoming one of the most feared criminals in town.
The actor gives Powers a smart mouth and humorous, intimidating wit that takes him far into the criminal underworld; still, like most mobsters, Powers' bold ambition ultimately leads to his unfortunate demise. Cagney conveys the ideal tough guy who, behind closed doors, simply wishes to be important and provide for his family but has zero to no serious work ethic. While his behavior is lawless and immoral, Cagney gives a certain complexity to Powers that adds a redeeming quality to the character,solidifying his performance as one of the finest in cinema history.
The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy follows the rise of two young men, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, from a life of poverty in Chicago to becoming notorious bootleggers and criminals. As their illicit activities draw attention from law enforcement and rival gangs, they face mounting challenges that test their loyalty and survival.
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8Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
InMartin Scorsese’s signature ’90s filmGoodfellas,Joe Pescishines as the brash, hot-headed mobster Tommy DeVito, who can be as hilarious as he is terrifying, flipping at the drop of a hat. While DeVito has an impulsive temper and sadistic tendencies, he also has a witty, off-colored sense of humor that subconsciously clouds audiences' opinion of the vicious gangster. The character also adds an unusual sense of comic relief, most notablythe iconic “How am I funny?” scene, which was improvised by Pesci and based on an experience he had working as a waiter.
During aninterview with Pesci, the actor revealed that Scorsese thought Pesci was too old to play DeVito and originally wanted him to play Paulie Cicero, a role that eventually went toPaul Sorvino, but Pesci adamantly stated that he didn’t want to play that part. Instead, the actor surprised Scorsese with an impromptu taped audition as the character, which ultimately earned him the part and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Today,Pesci is universally recognized for his role as DeVito, undeniably one of the all-time greatest gangster performances in cinema history.
Goodfellas
7Al Pacino as Tony Montana
‘Scarface’ (1983)
Al Pacinotakes on a different kind of gangster role in one ofthe best gangster films of the 1980s,Scarface, a modern remake of the 1932 film by the same name starringPaul Muni. Pacino portrays the eccentric, highly motivated Tony Montana, who arrives in the United States during the drug craze of the 1980s in Florida. The actor equips his character with a unique accent along with an unwavering sense of confidence andarrogance that is strangely infectious for audiences.
Pacino also adds a bit of unfiltered humor to his performance that essentially softens the harshness of Montana’s personality, which can be abrasive and overbearing at times. Initially,Scarfacewas divisive with critics, who weren’t thrilled about the film’s excessive use of violence and gore. However, no one has ever contested thatPacino’s performance is anything but foolproof, making it one of the perfect gangster performances to date.
6Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone
‘The Godfather: Part II’ (1974)
The Godfather: Part IIis simultaneouslyone of the best prequelsand sequels of all time, with some even believing it surpasses the first film. Robert De Niro’s performance as a young Vito Corleone is spectacular and, without question,one of the main allures of this classic masterpiece. The film splits the storyline into a non-linear narrative: one follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in the present day, and the other centers on Vito Corleone’s harrowing journey from Sicily as a boy to the United States, where he eventually builds a name for himself.
De Niro took extreme measuresto prepare for his role, notably choosing to live in Sicily for several months and learn how to speak the proper Sicilian dialect. Considering he also had big shoes to fill followingMarlon Brando’s performance in the first film,De Niro nailed the character down to the finest detail, including his body language, mannerisms, and even the bulldog jawline.The Godfather: Part IIreceived immense praise and raves for De Niro’s impeccable performance, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The Godfather: Part II
5Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna
‘Casino’ (1995)
Sharon Stonegives a performance of a lifetimeas the Las Vegas hustler Ginger McKenna in the 1995 gangster filmCasino. While she doesn’t play a gangster, Stone’s character proves that she can hold her own against any wise guy who crosses her path thanks to her incomparable beauty and intensity. Stone conveys a girl with a checkered past all grown up into a self-sufficient woman with the necessary street smarts to survive in Sin City.
The most intriguing aspect of Stone’s performance isher character’s destructive downward spiral, which is beyond convincing. What starts as a character who seems to have every desire to live slowly burns out at a steady, excruciating pace, brilliantly executed by Stone. Between emotional outbursts and drug-induced scenes,Stone’s Ginger is both compelling and utterly devastatingto watch hit rock bottom. Stone’s performance was highly praised and earnedCasinoits only Academy Award nomination, Best Actress, cementing her portrayal as one of the best in the gangster genre.
4Daniel Day-Lewis as William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting
‘Gangs of New York’ (2002)
In Martin Scrosese’s historical gangster filmGangs of New York,Daniel Day-Lewisdelivers a showstopping performance as the villainous mob boss William Cutting, better known as Bill the Butcher. With a crystal blue glass eye, a raspy but cool voice, and a greasy handlebar mustache, Day-Lewis is unrecognizable, creatinga one-of-a-kind character that only he could execute with such precision.
Cutting’s blend of charm and terror conveys an uneasy sense of unpredictability and serves as the main source of the film’s ominous, suspenseful tone.Day-Lewis givesa marvelously macabre performancethat is undeniably one of the greatest in the gangster genre, setting a high standard that has yet to be reached by any other mobster character. His portrayal of Bill the Butcher earned Day-Lewis an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and even though he didn’t win, his performance still ranks as one that is beyond perfect.
Gangs of New York
3Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
In his breakthrough role, Al Pacino stars in the classic gangster filmThe Godfatheras Michael Corleone, who goes from a law-abiding war hero to becomingthe next boss of the Corleone family. Pacino’s performance is truly a sight to behold, as the young actor demonstrates his extensive theater training by utilizing vivid facial expressions, notably his dark, mesmerizing eyes, to convey his character’s growing intensity and vengeance.
While Pacino’s performance inThe Godfather: Part IIis also immaculate, his initial portrayal of Michael in the first film is much more complex. It also involves a crucial transformation that serves as the main focus of the film, which Pacino more than successfully executes.Pacino’s performance is unquestionably one of perfection, conveying an incredibly fascinating metamorphosis of one of the most iconic characters in the gangster genre. The actor earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his tour de force performance, ultimately making hima worthy contender for the all-time best gangster performance.
The Godfather
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2Chazz Palminteri as Sonny LoSpecchio
‘A Bronx Tale’ (1993)
Chazz Palminteristars inthe coming-of-age gangster dramaA Bronx Taleas mobster Sonny LoSpeechio, who takes a young kid, Calogero (Lilio Brancato), under his wing. Palminteri delivers a magnificent performance, offeringa perfect combination of a tough mafioso and a mentor with a secret heart of gold. LoSpeechio is the traditional old-school gangster who, unlike other wise guys, doesn’t encourage his young, impressionable protégé to follow in his footsteps.
Even though Palminteri is known for taking on multiple gangster characters,his performance as LoSpeechio is hands down his greatest. The actor creates a surprisingly relatable character who, despite his line of work, sometimes comes off as an endearing father who only wants the best for someone. He also brings a certain quality of sophistication and style, which accurately reflects the true nature of the 1960s gangster without appearing forced or animated. While Palminteri gives his character a touch of aggression and a hint of arrogance, he’s not without a sentimental side, which ultimately perfects his overall performance.
A Bronx Tale
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1Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone
Marlon Brando’s performance in Coppola’s magnum opus,The Godfather, is pure cinematic gold that ultimately redefined the traditional gangster role. Both Coppola and authorMario Puzohad a vision for their titular character, but Brando also molded Vito into the iconic character that is universally recognized today, notably the bulldog cheeks, which were enhanced bya prosthetic mouthpiece.
Brando undoubtedly dominates every scenewith a limitless magnitude, effortlessly conveying Vito’s gentleness and vulnerability without downplaying the character’s immense power. While Brando portrays Vito as a powerhouse force, he does have several scenes, notably with Pacino, that serve as an endearing reminder of how he is not just a mob boss but also a loving family man who genuinely wants the best for his family. Brando’s astounding work earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, ultimatelyestablishing his performance as pure perfection.
