Citizen Gangster, the first film from writer/director Nathan Morlando is a surprisingly touching portrayal of real-life Canadian folk hero Edwin Boyd. Morlando worked on the project for years and despite a tiny $5 million budget, a harsh Canadian winter film schedule, and no prior feature film experience, he manages to pull off an elegant film with plenty of action, fun, and angst. The film stars an enormously talented cast with the painfully handsome Scott Speedman (Underworld) in the lead as Edwin Boyd. Other cast members of particular note include Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes), Kevin Durand (Real Steel), and Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity).
The story of the film follows the downtrodden life of a depressed war veteran who struggles with disappointment and yearns for starlight. The true story of our anti-hero is that of a wannabe actor/singer who finds himself trapped by reality, marriage, parenthood, and a generally pointless work life. And, who can blame him? Going from a war hero to bus driver would make anyone want to grab their Luger and start shooting. As Boyd struggles with the ingratitude of civilians, he finds a solution to his media hunger, lust for danger, and need for respect: bank robbery. This isn’t just a man pursuit of fame through a little larceny, this is about a guy who has been emasculated by circumstance and declares war on the society that stole his manhood.
This is an artfully crafted period piece that never stops to unnecessarily explain the differences between our world and Boyd’s. We are treated to an era when bank and prison security weren’t exactly what they are now. You’ll find yourself quickly scratching your head and thinking, “Oh yeah, under-counter alarms, finger printing, closed circuit cameras, and marked bills weren’t always around.”
But the films integrity will likely be what hurts its box office bottom line. The film packs less “bang, bang, bang” and more “snap, snap, snap” but that’s a good thing. Gone are the glamorous locations, the unnecessary philandering, and over-stylized period acting. In their place we get a sun-bleached pallet reminiscent of a faded photograph, the nervous struggles of real men constantly at risk of losing love, and a natural dialogue that makes this band of hooligans both familiar and relatable. Normalcy of character is all too often missing in period films but in Citizen Gangster the personal relationships of the characters are bitter, petty, and deceitful- just like your life.
However, normal doesn’t just apply to the way these characters talk. From their hideouts to their clothes to their celebrations, everything is ag
onizingly ordinary. The gang indulges in ways that, while simple from our view, we understand are excesses to them. If you know how to film it, you don’t need a mountain of coke to portray extravagance; an empty room, some booze, and a record player do the job just as well.
The film is thoroughly satisfying without trying to be a spectacle. For that reason alone, it is. Morando’s devotion to the period strips the shiny chrome of the mainstream gangster film and reveals the people at the foundation of our mobster folklore. Truth be told, all the outrageous splash and glam that the gangster genre has become synonymous with isn’t just played out, it’s detached and distracting. This film works so well in part by pointing out where its predecessors (with some exceptions like the Godfathers and The Assassination of Jesse James) so dramatically fail.
Food becomes a motif of the story as the crew is constantly worrying about putting food on the table. This is an impeccable choice that helps unite the film. When Depp’s Dillinger tells his girlfriend, “I did this all for you,” we call bullshit. We yell back, “You just want power, validation, and money!” But when Speedman’s Boyd says the same thing, we believe him. While this first film from Morando may not rob the box office bank, it certainly steals a worthy spot among the best gangster films.
Rating: shoots ordinary gangster films dead then brings home dinner 9/10
Check out the trailer below:
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