The Long Good Friday
1980 Directed by John Mackenzie
Synopsis
Who lit the fuse that tore Harold's world apart?
Harold, a prosperous English gangster, is about to close a lucrative new deal when bombs start showing up in very inconvenient places. A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues.
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Film 28 of The December Project
It gets confusing: The Long Goodbye, The Long Kiss Goodnight, The Long Good Friday... This is the one with Bob 'Oskins as the London kingpin whose empire has just been hit by Vesuvius, to a stunning synth score. Now, it's just because at the time I wasn't there (or, rather, aware, being a very small child) but I couldn't get used to the idea of brown-suited gangster geezers threatening each other to a sound which means Eno and New Romantics, preened and lipsticked and peacocky.
The Long Good Friday is a decent enough film, and the leads do a good job, but I've never liked Hoskins at all, and this is the definitive Hoskins…
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This film took multiple viewings, but am glad I persisted. The music, slow build up, erratic violence, and of course Bob Hoskins powerful performance make this an absolutely fabulous journey. It may not be a perfect picture, but every scene has something compelling, unique, and connected with progressing the picture.
Violent and powerful filmmaking.
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This intense British gangster film takes many detours, some unnecessary, prior to reaching its blood-soaked climax. There are multiple indicators early on hinting at the ultimate direction the plot will take, making it slightly predictable. Although, John Mackenzie does a solid job keeping up the sense of mystery until everything begins to unravel. Weaving us through London's gritty criminal underworld.
Bob Hoskins plays Harold Shand, an old-fashioned gangster who dreams of legitimizing his business, ironically with the help of the American mafia. Hoskins, in his breakthrough performance, uses his likably domineering personality to bring great complexity to his crime boss role. Beginning as a man with noble dreams for his homeland, but when mysterious, and increasingly violent attacks on his…
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A classic slice of British gangster drama. And by 'classic', I really do mean classic. An outstanding, infinitely quotable script is backed up by sensational performances from Hoskins, Mirren and the rest of the cast, which is a who's who of British crime cinema. The score is a pulsating melody of the 80s, upbeat and riveting. Look out for Pierce Brosnan in his first feature appearance, he doesn't have a line but you can still see the potential.
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A seriously hip movie, that features a seriously hip score. Bob Hoskins really brings the thunder, and the third act really delivers. The story is a bit contrived, but this is a bit problem. I real fun watch.
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Bob Hoskins gives probably his very best performance and Helen Mirren is pretty good too. Hoskins especially brings his character superbly to life. Raw and intelligent script. Amazing camera work. Badass ending.
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excellent
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Excellent British gangster film about the 80's, about Britain, about money and about traditional honour. Bob Hoskins performance as Harold Shand is nothing short of iconic, and the film has a superb screenplay which mixes intrigue, social commentary and humour.
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This film took multiple viewings, but am glad I persisted. The music, slow build up, erratic violence, and of course Bob Hoskins powerful performance make this an absolutely fabulous journey. It may not be a perfect picture, but every scene has something compelling, unique, and connected with progressing the picture.
Violent and powerful filmmaking.
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Tense British crime drama with a powerful leading performance from Bob Hoskins.
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I just had to.
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Bob Hoskins is superb in what is otherwise a very ordinary film.
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Overrated Brit-ish gangster thriller. Hoskins & Mirren are great, but the film is mediocre.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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A gripping yet mesmerizing thriller about the fall of a crime boss' empire on the day he attempts to legitimize himself as he seeks to find out who his new enemy is as it features brilliant performances from Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.