Regie:
John MackenzieDrehbuch:
Barrie KeeffeKamera:
Phil MéheuxMusik:
Francis MonkmanBesetzung:
Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Bryan Marshall, Eddie Constantine, P. H. Moriarty, Paul Freeman, Pierce Brosnan, Alan Ford, Paul Barber, Alan Devlin (mehr)Inhalte(1)
Der wohlhabende Verbrecher Harold steht kurz vor dem Abschluss eines lukrativen neuen Geschäfts, als ihm Bombenattentate das Leben schwer machen. Ein geheimnisvolles Syndikat versucht, sich in seine Geschäfte einzumischen. Zwischen amerikanischer Mafia und der IRA schlägt Harold schonungslos zurück. Ende der 1970er Jahre steht der Londoner Gangsterboss Harold Shand kurz davor, seine großen Pläne als Immobilienmogul umzusetzen und einen lukrativen Deal mit Bauspekulationen abzuschließen. Mit finanzieller Unterstützung der amerikanischen Mafia möchte er die Umwandlung eines heruntergekommenen Londoner Viertels in einen Austragungsort für die Olympischen Spiele realisieren. Doch auf einmal durchkreuzen unbekannte Gegenspieler seine Pläne. Ausgerechnet an dem Wochenende, an dem die Amerikaner in der Stadt sind, wird eine Reihe von Bombenanschlägen auf sein Imperium verübt. Nur knapp entgeht er selbst dem Tod. Es scheint, als habe die irische Untergrundarmee die Finger im Spiel, doch Harold Shand ist bald überzeugt, dass es einen Verräter in seinen eigenen Reihen gibt. (arte)
(mehr)Kritiken (2)
It feels like the American crime and gangster movies in the eighties were learning from the European classics, like The Long Good Friday. This film is perfectly realistic, at times too chatty, but the acting is incredibly classy. From the moment when I heard the opening song, I anticipated that this film is going to be a great experience. An experience where the best role in the film is at the same time a character you will not exactly root for. Bob Hoskins showed an incredible performance and he utterly enjoyed the finale.
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If you reach the top of the power ladder, in addition to a number of undisputed advantages, your social position also means one unpleasant fact - that every move on the power pyramid will only mean a descent downward. Harold was once able to rise from an insignificant thug with a tendency toward violence to the boss of the London underworld through a combination of self-confidence, determination, and ruthlessness. Thanks to his influence, the metropolis has been calm for ten years. An agreement with representatives of the American mafia is supposed to enable him to launch new bold investments and it promises dazzling profits. But returning from overseas does not mean triumph but rather the shocking realization that he suddenly faces something that goes beyond his previous experiences and threatens to destroy his life's work within a few hours. What has helped him so far, namely persistence and toughness, is turning against him and leading him to the edge of the abyss. The Long Good Friday is a quality genre film set in the world of organized crime that doesn't serve everything to the viewer on a silver platter, it's not cheap or pandering, and it doesn't rely on exaggerated unrealistic action. Its script relies on a believable plot, interesting characters, and a 70s atmosphere. The film would reliably receive 4 stars even without Bob Hoskins, but his presence is the proverbial icing on the cake and compels me to give it the highest rating. In my opinion, this is Hoskins' best performance on the big screen - he was possibly born for the role of a straightforward, mercurial guy who thinks the world will forever be at his feet. And the final scene, when the camera captures a close-up of Hoskins' face, is simply delightful. Overall impression: 90%.
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