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Special Features
The Making of London Boulevard
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed) made his directorial debut with this propulsive and stylish UK crime thriller, with Colin Farrell as the latest in a long line of moody ex-cons who can't seem to stay away from the illegal side of life. Farrell's Mitchel, a bruiser with his heart on his sleeve, is fresh from a three-year stint in lockup, but already back in low-rent schemes with his old pal Ben Chaplin. His rough-hewn but gentlemanly ways earn him a gig as a bodyguard for actress Keira Knightley, who needs protection from swarms of paparazzi. We are asked to believe that the pair's relationship soon blossoms into romance, but it lacks any palpable chemistry, despite the enormous charisma of both performers. Instead, the film's most interesting relationships are the secondary ones: Farrell locks horns with Ray Winstone's sharp-dressed gangster, who wants Mitchel under his employ at any cost, as well as David Thewlis as Knightley's venomous sycophant and Anna Friel as Mitchel's breezily wanton sister. The various character trajectories cross paths or crash in ways most crime fans have seen in dozens of previous pictures; there's very little new in London Boulevard, but the solid cast does most of the heavy lifting, leaving Monahan to simply keep up the pace at a decent clip while exercising his penchant for stylized lighting and vintage rock & roll (Monahan clearly took notes while working with Martin Scorsese, as evidenced by a soundtrack full of maximum R&B tracks by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Pretty Things/Electric Banana, and Kasabian). Extras are limited to a standard-issue making-of featurette, in which Monahan discusses the influence of '60s-era UK films like Blow-Up on his feature. --Paul Gaita
Product Description
The directorial debut of William Monahan, the Oscar®-winning screenwriter of The Departed, London Boulevard follows an ex-con trying to make a fresh start in a relationship with a reclusive actress. A sexy, stylish gangster thriller bristling with wit and brutal intrigue, London Boulevard stars Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley as star-crossed lovers who run afoul of one of London’s most vicious crime bosses.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
some may view this as a typical british gangster movie and if that's a turn off don't bother watching it. don't watch it for the supposed romance between kiera knightley and colin farrel. don't watch it because most people seem to hate it. watch it for the difference in language. nothing is a shock in this movie but it's well paced and provides a transport from reality for a little over an hour. isn't that what movies are for?
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
To each his own, someone once said. I was mesmerized by this film on many levels. All of the negative comments are surprising to me. Perhaps we didn't see the same film.
Does the film lag in spots. Yes. Is the storyline a little 'Twilight Zone'? Yes. Is this a total waste of great talent? Not on your life! Everyone is perfectly cast and their work is spot-on.
It is, of course, Colin Farrell's movie. He is hard to dislike in any of his roles. There is an innocent sweetness about him in spite of all the 'bad boy' gossip that follows him around the world. He owns this role. Keira Knightley? Who on the screen is more enchanting than she is? No one. She is so vulnerable in this film. She is hauntingly frail, both physically and mentally. As an A List actress hunted down by the Paparazzi day and night, she is so believable. Perfect casting.
Ray Winstone has cornered the market in the UK as the Tony Soprano of England. I never get tired of watching him steal every scene he's in. He's probably a really sweet guy in real life, but in reel life, he is totally scary and menacing. He will cause your blood pressure to go up in this film, and not just once!
What can you say about David Thewlis? I have never seen a Harry Potter film so that is not how I know this wonderful actor. Basic Instinct 2 introduced me to him and I tracked down his other films and have watched most of them. He plays Keira Knightley's friend-caretaker-hanger-on so perfectly. His face speaks volumes. He can sit at a table and not have a word of dialog and you know exactly what he's thinking. He is really the 'star' of this film.
Ben Chaplin. Love this guy. He is a younger version of British actor, Ritchie Coster. Like Coster, he plays the baddie or the heavy. Dark, handsome, helter-skelter movements, he is evolving into a first-class actor who will have a monumental career by the time he decides to retire. If he ever does. Your eyes follow him whenever he's on screen. Even when he's acting opposite Colin!
Last but certainly not least is David Thewlis' former flame (and mother of his daughter), Anna Friel. She plays Colin's sister. Not just loopy but borderline insane in this role. You want to reach into the screen, grab her by the shoulders, and shake her awake! Her scenes are very strong and memorable.
Bottom line: Why all the negative comments? The soundtrack crackles with old favorites like The Yardbirds, etc. Is there a soundtrack to this film? If so, when can we get it in the US? The photography is stunning. The colors are vibrant even when the lighting is way down. The inside of Keira's home is lovely. You can almost feel the furniture's texture. Everyone is lovingly photographed. As a photographer, I appreciated this aspect of the film the most.
The night I saw the film I immediately ordered it from amazon.com. Can't wait to get it and watch it again. It is going to be one of those films I watch once or twice a year forever. Do yourself a favor and take a look at it. You won't be disappointed. I promise.
Does the film lag in spots. Yes. Is the storyline a little 'Twilight Zone'? Yes. Is this a total waste of great talent? Not on your life! Everyone is perfectly cast and their work is spot-on.
It is, of course, Colin Farrell's movie. He is hard to dislike in any of his roles. There is an innocent sweetness about him in spite of all the 'bad boy' gossip that follows him around the world. He owns this role. Keira Knightley? Who on the screen is more enchanting than she is? No one. She is so vulnerable in this film. She is hauntingly frail, both physically and mentally. As an A List actress hunted down by the Paparazzi day and night, she is so believable. Perfect casting.
Ray Winstone has cornered the market in the UK as the Tony Soprano of England. I never get tired of watching him steal every scene he's in. He's probably a really sweet guy in real life, but in reel life, he is totally scary and menacing. He will cause your blood pressure to go up in this film, and not just once!
What can you say about David Thewlis? I have never seen a Harry Potter film so that is not how I know this wonderful actor. Basic Instinct 2 introduced me to him and I tracked down his other films and have watched most of them. He plays Keira Knightley's friend-caretaker-hanger-on so perfectly. His face speaks volumes. He can sit at a table and not have a word of dialog and you know exactly what he's thinking. He is really the 'star' of this film.
Ben Chaplin. Love this guy. He is a younger version of British actor, Ritchie Coster. Like Coster, he plays the baddie or the heavy. Dark, handsome, helter-skelter movements, he is evolving into a first-class actor who will have a monumental career by the time he decides to retire. If he ever does. Your eyes follow him whenever he's on screen. Even when he's acting opposite Colin!
Last but certainly not least is David Thewlis' former flame (and mother of his daughter), Anna Friel. She plays Colin's sister. Not just loopy but borderline insane in this role. You want to reach into the screen, grab her by the shoulders, and shake her awake! Her scenes are very strong and memorable.
Bottom line: Why all the negative comments? The soundtrack crackles with old favorites like The Yardbirds, etc. Is there a soundtrack to this film? If so, when can we get it in the US? The photography is stunning. The colors are vibrant even when the lighting is way down. The inside of Keira's home is lovely. You can almost feel the furniture's texture. Everyone is lovingly photographed. As a photographer, I appreciated this aspect of the film the most.
The night I saw the film I immediately ordered it from amazon.com. Can't wait to get it and watch it again. It is going to be one of those films I watch once or twice a year forever. Do yourself a favor and take a look at it. You won't be disappointed. I promise.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brian DePalma was considered a master plagiarist by many. It's with little irony that "London Boulevard" reminds you of DePalma's "Carlito's Way". Director William Monahan also references Martin Scorsese which also ironically Monahan wrote the Oscar winning script for "The Departed" which was a reimagining of the Hong Kong crime thriller "Infernal Affairs". The question you ask yourself is Monahan's effort more than the sum of it's influences? The answer to me is a resounding yes. Similarities to other films cannot be denied but when done right you call it a homage. Monahan introduces enough unique fluorishes and twists to elevate it above mere copycat status. Colin Farrell is magnetic and macho as the recently released con who wants to go straight in a world that keeps pulling him into a life of crime. Ray Winstone adds another indelible portrait to his personal rogues gallery as a sadistic crime boss. David Thewlis nearly steals the show as the foppish manager of Keira Knightley's papparazzi stalked movie starlet. The film kept me rapt and invigorated throughout. For those who would dismiss "London Boulevard" as derivative I ask you to consider Bogart, Cagney, and Edward G. They were gangster archetypes who didn't play the same character twice. "London Boulevard" is a variation of the British gangster tradition that includes "Get Carter", "The Long Good Friday", "Mona Lisa" and "Sexy Beast'.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding !!
Great film! Should go along the lines of Layercake and Drive. Keira Knightley and Farrell are great and the supporting cast is also amazing. Read more
Published 13 days ago by jddoctorwho
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing New
Despite the sleek look and neo noir aspirations, this movie is nothing more than the old 40's John Garfield chesnut about the guy who's out of jail and decides to go straight but... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chuck Snow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crisp version of an undiscovered gem
London Boulevard received only middling reviews, but I found it to be smart, funny, clever, and hugely enjoyable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Oshram
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gritty! Well worth owning!
Excellent movie. Many surprises and wonderful acting and above all a very good dark story. Characters were believable and the soundtrack is phenomenal!
Published 2 months ago by wakajawaka
3.0 out of 5 stars
Actually, I bought it because it has Yardbirds music in it
It's pretty good. I've seen much worse movies. It's average. I bought it because I heard that there is some music in it by The Yardbirds.
Published 2 months ago by Keith Erickson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ken Bruen's book is much better....more wit... less noir...
Back in April 2010...I wrote a review of LONDON BOULEVARD...the novel by Ken Bruen. Here's what I said about the book:
Now wait a minute. This plot sounds familar. Read more
Now wait a minute. This plot sounds familar. Read more
Published 4 months ago by janebbooks
1.0 out of 5 stars
For once the critics were correct
It seems to me they left out the plot to this movie. Most of the characters are cardboard, things happen that are meant to "ironic" but which really were just the directory/writer... Read more
Published 4 months ago by David S. Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining
If you like movies like Snatch, In Bruges and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrells be sure to check this one out too. Both lead characters turn in excellent performances.
Published 5 months ago by easy reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
London Boulevard with colin farrell
Very violent. Great acting. Well concieved story line. Very violent. Liked the cinematogrophy. The filming had a very real feeling for me, watching it anyway. Read more
Published 5 months ago by nick
4.0 out of 5 stars
well played and then some!
I loved this movie. Colin Farrell's character was someone we would all want as a friend & he played it so well. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kelly Phinney
