It’s no secret that the gangster genre of film has become largely prolific and notable for having a high number of high-quality films that have helped redefine and shape cinema as a whole. There are a high number of exceptional gangster masterpieces over the years, ranging from generation-defining experiences likeThe Godfatherduology andGoodfellasto international fan favorites likeCity of God. However, arguably even more interesting than the gangster movies that have no flaws are the ones that come just short of perfection.
Whether it be a relic of the era that was released, a strange choice when it came to performance or soundtrack, or even something as notable as a film’s pacing or ending, there are many ways that a film can end up tripping at the finish line to masterpiece status. It’s not to say that these films are bad; quite the opposite, being close to perfection means they are still all-time greats, well worthy of being someone’s favorite film. Still, it’s interesting to considerthe singular facets that keep these films from being the paragons they were so close to becoming.
18’Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai' (1999)
Directed by Jim Jarmusch
While its title and style wouldn’t have one assume that it’s a gangster film,Ghost Dog: Way of the Samuraicombines the worlds of mafia violence with ancient Japanese samurai to make for a brilliant and distinct cinematic achievement. The film follows the story of Ghost Dog, an African American hitman for his local mafia who models his lifestyle and technique off of the samurai of ancient Japan. However, he will have to put his abilities to the test when he himself has been targeted for death by the mob.
The strange, otherworldly aura thatGhost Dogprovides is something that no other gangster film has come close to replicating, distinctly feeling human in its vision and beautiful in its execution. The film has an effective throughline about the importance of a code of honor, finding the rare commonality between two of the most beloved and respected subgenres in cinema. Its only true flaw is thatit doesn’t greatly excel in the action that has made samurai and gangster films so effectively, largely following in the same mellow, chill vibes ofJim Jaramusch’s other films.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
17’Sexy Beast' (2000)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Jonathan Glazer’s feature directorial debut gave us one ofSir Ben Kingsley’s best performances.Ray Winstonestars as Gary “Gal” Dove, a retired criminal trying to let go of his vicious past, whose tranquility is upended by the arrival of the infamous Don Logan (Kingsley), a psychopath demanding he take part in an upcoming London bank robbery.
Sexy Beastis a unique gangster movie that will not be for everyone. Glazer’s eclectic approach, coupled with a series of truly chaotic performances, makes for a one-of-a-kind experience that might not necessarily be what fans of the genre expect. Still, Kingsley’s wildly electrifying, profane portrayal is enough to warrant a viewing. This movie is audacious yet confounding, a must-seen-to-be-believed kind of movie that the gangster genre could use more of.
Sexy Beast
Rent on Apple TV
16’Bonnie and Clyde' (1967)
Directed by Arthur Penn
The signature gangster biopic about one of the most legendary crime duos of all time,Bonnie and Clydedoes justice to the tragedy and chaos of real-life figures while breaking new ground for counterculture filmmaking. The film sees bored waitress Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) falling in love with ex-con Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty), with the duo riding off and beginning a violent crime spree across the countryside. They end up stealing countless cars and robbing countless banks on their journey across the country, eventually meeting their inevitable demise at the hands of the police.
Bonnie and Clyde as historical figurescan easily be considered some of the first true legendary low-level gangsters in American mythos, not defined by their power and stature but instead by their seemingly limitless love and passion that fueled their crime spree. The film itself fully taps into the excitement and fervor surrounding these figures, brilliantly amplified by a duo of exceptional performances by Dunaway and Beatty. The only real issue is that after 50 years of gangster storytelling,the actual story ofBonnie and Clydehas been parodied and told to death, diminishing its impact on a modern audience.
Bonnie and Clyde
15’Once Upon a Time in America' (1984)
Directed by Sergio Leone
When one thinks of epic movies in cinema,Sergio Leone’s 4+ hour saga of crime and ambition surely comes to mind.Once Upon a Time in AmericastarsRobert De NiroandJames Woodsand follows two best friends who climb the ladder of Jewish organized crime in New York City during the mid-20s and early ’30s.
As demanding as it is rewarding,Once Upon a Time in Americais a true work of art from one of cinema’s greatest filmmakers. The film is nothing short of daunting, asking much of its audience but delivering just as much in terms of engaging and thought-provoking narrative.It’s also far less straightforward than other gangster movies, opting for visual symbolism rather than the outright, heightened drama of, say,the Corleone family. However, those with enough patience and the willingness to take in the movie’s daring nature will surely appreciate every aspect, no matter how vague.
Once Upon a Time in America
14’Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)
Directed by John Carpenter
One ofJohn Carpenter’s most underrated yet widely entertaining works made well before all of his other masterpieces,Assault on Precinct 13is still oozingwith the director’s signature flair and style. The film follows the lone inhabitants of a local police station finding themselves under attack by a seemingly never-ending number of members of a dangerous street gang hell-bent on taking over the station.
Assault on Precinct 13has top-notch gangster action from beginning to end, whether it’s the powerful and shocking moments that show how vile the gang can get or the tense, high-octane action in the station itself. There is a heightened sense of scale and terror within the film that almost makes it feel like a horror film, even though it’s squarely in the action thriller/gangster genre.The only notable issue is that the film takes a while before truly entering its impactful second half, yet the filmmaking mastery on display, even during its slow parts, makes it a film that’s impossible not to fall in love with.
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
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13’White Heat' (1949)
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh’s near-masterpieceWhite Heatstars one of the genre’s biggest performers,the legendary Oscar winner James Cagney. The plot centers on Cody Jarrett, a man who escapes prison after learning of his beloved mother’s passing. Planning the most daring heist of his career, Jarrett recruits a gang, including his former cellmate, an undercover cop working to bring him down.
White Heatis a seminal entry in the gangster genre that profoundly shaped and influenced it. Cagney delivers one of his all-time greatest performances, playing Jarred’s unhinged nature with astounding empathy and capturing his slow descent into mental turmoil and chaos better than anyone could’ve. A product of its time,White Heatoccasionally succumbs to melodrama so heightenedthat it often clashes with its more somber themes. Still, the film remains as close to perfection as anything the gangster genre has ever produced.
White Heat
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12’Snatch' (2000)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
One of the initial films that helped put directorGuy Ritchieon the map,Snatchis a flashy and chaotic crime comedy that follows two separate stories and how they unexpectedly overlap with one another. In one story, a group of diamond thieves find themselves in a pickle when the diamond they stole goes missing, while in the other, a notorious boxing promoter finds himself wrapped up in the world of crime and match-fixing from a psychotic gangster.
Ritchie has continued to develophis style and vision for filmmaking in the decades sinceSnatch’s release, and its requisite view of comedy and style helped elevate it into one of his best works. However, the one thing holding it back and creating a major disconnect is that, for all of its extravagant execution and wild, lovable characters,there isn’t very much to chew on in terms of depth or layers. It’s a very simplistic plot, acting to give more emphasis on the film’s exceptional visual style and editing, but it can make the actual story and stakes fall flat at times.
11'25th Hour' (2002)
Directed by Spike Lee
Acting as both an effective gangster film as well as directorSpike Lee’s portrayal of the then still recent September 11attacks,25th Houris a powerful story of self-reflection and acceptance. The film follows Monty Brogan (Edward Norton), a convicted drug dealer about to begin a seven-year prison sentence for his crimes, with only a single day left of freedom. He decides to spend his final hours hanging out with his closest friends and mentally preparing his girlfriend for their years-long separation.
25th Hourcertainly plays into the archetypes of gangster films and the criminal world, but it is much more focused on the humanity and character of it all instead of any specific crimes being shown off on-screen. It’sa near-masterclass when it comes to emotional drama and maturity, yet the aspect of the film that holds it back from perfection is its visual choices, which are often more confusing and distracting than required for a somber piece on humanity like this.
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10’Scarface' (1932)
Directed by Howard Hawks
Not to be confused with theAl Pacinofilm that actually is amongthe few perfect gangster movies, the 1930sScarfaceis the golden era original. The film follows a loosely similar plot to the popular remake, seeing notorious gangster Tony Camonte (Paul Muni) fighting and killing his way to the top of the ranks of the mobster world. At the same time, Tony is doing all that he can to protect his innocent sister from the criminal life that he has dedicated himself to, to the detriment of his life and safety.
It’s difficult to undermine the legacy and influence that this classic had on gangster films as a whole as a quintessential example of a mob film that inspired a number of the greats in the genre. However, just like any other film that is closing in on being 100 years old, age comes with as many difficulties as it does pleasures, and comparing this film to a masterpiece remake doesn’t make things better. Especially when other gangster films excel at telling stories of fragmented heroes and looking into their psyche,the originalScarfaceis too simplisticand doesn’t go far enough with its concept.
9’Donnie Brasco' (1997)
Directed by Mike Newell
A high-stakes gangster drama based onan unbelievable true story,Donnie Brascois one of the premiere gangster films of the 90s, showing painful inner turmoil as they delve deeper and deeper into hard crime. The film follows the story of Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp), an undercover FBI agent who finds himself infiltrating the Bonanno crime family during the 1970s, under the alias of Donnie Brasco. Donnie ends up forming a genuine bond with older mafia hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), yet as Donnie ends up moving deeper and deeper into the mafia, he begins to realize that he is crossing the line between federal agent and criminal.
Donnie Brascois often in conversation as a career-best film for many of the people involved, telling a unique and powerful gangster story from the perspective of a mole who comes to get too invested in the life of the mafia. The dynamic between Depp and Pacino is what elevates the film above many other gangster films of the era, as they seamlessly work off of one another and become a legendary gangster duo in the process. The one thing holding the film back from being widely considered one of the greatest gangster films of all time is thatit can be overwhelming how much it relies on cliches and overplayed conventions of the gangster genre.
