Bob Hoskins is an actor I have noticed in recent films the past 10 years. He’s obviously somebody that is respected in the acting world. Today I think I found out why - The Long Good Friday.
If you’re a fan of Guy Ritchie and his cockney gangster films, you have to watch this. In this Hoskins plays a big-time gangster who is trying to capitalize on some prime real estate, but everything seems to be going wrong. His friends and family are being targeted along with his businesses. This is not looking good to the investors and the American mobsters are re-thinking their investment options.
I knew the film had to be good from the start because it had a catchy tune. Movies these days seem to lack the kind of openings like this. Then I realized both P.H. Moriarty (Hatchet Harry fromLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Alan Ford (Brick Top from Snatch and Alan/Narrator from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) were in it. Pretty soon I also started noticing phrases like, “This is like a bad night in Vietnam.” being very similar to “A minute ago this was the safest job in the world. Now it’s turning into a bad day in Bosnia.” The similarities continue. I would even suppose that both Moriarty and Ford took some inspiration for their parts in Ritchie’s films from Bob Hoskin’s portrayal of a gangster.
Seeing how great Guy Ritchie apparently thought of John Mackenzie, I’m now interested in seeing what else Mackenzie has directed. Oh, and did I mention this is in the Criterion Collection? If you’re a fan of British film, you’re sure to recognize many actors from back in the day. Definitely worth renting!
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