Paul Bettany is fantastic as the psychotic heavy, who wants nothing more than to be gangster number 1, even if it means the betrayal of the ones most loyal to him. The film is savage, with sharp suits, a sharp wit that is as sharp as any blades these gangsters may carry. The late 1960's setting is great, and the film boast's a great soundtrack. The film peaks with the first person's victims perspective of a murder, which is as thrilling as it is disturbing. The other cast members are outstanding with an equally chilling turn from Malcolm Mc Dowell playing the older version of Paul Bettany's character, and also a blistering turn from David Thewlis. The only slight let down to this other wise excellent British gangster movie, is the ending, as instead of going out with a bang, that the film seems destined to do, it goes out on a whimper.
Other wise this is a savage, intense compelling and brilliant piece of film making.
Well worth watching!

In the tradition of the gangster movie, this one is about a very bad gangster, a creep, a narcistic psychopath. The performances a very intense and some scenes are rather 'dirty'. The story is a simple one with no tricks but a lot of violence, as wel verbal as physical.
It reminds me of 'the krays', the classical bad-ass-psychopath movie (based on true facts), and of 'scarface' (although scarface is american culture, and gangster no1 and the krays are definitely british). So, this movie is in good company.

Its by no means great but i would certainly recommend it to watch at least once.