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Citizen Gangster

Play trailer Poster for Citizen Gangster Released Apr 27, 2012 1h 45m Biography Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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56% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Unable to support his family on a bus driver's salary, World War II veteran Edwin Boyd finds a way to combine his love of acting and his need for money by robbing banks.

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Citizen Gangster

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Inspired by Boyd's story, rather than literally retelling it, the movie is less a gangster film than an existential allegory of choices and limitations. Rated: 3/4 May 11, 2012 Full Review Gary Goldstein Los Angeles Times Morlando has crafted a stylishly shot and evocatively designed period piece. But it's the dashing, quietly charismatic Speedman who proves the main draw, holding our attention even when the movie doesn't. Rated: 3/5 May 3, 2012 Full Review Farran Smith Nehme New York Post Morlando has chosen to approach this material not with witty cynicism, but with quiet, and at times leaden, sincerity. Rated: 2/4 Apr 27, 2012 Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Although a period piece, Citizen Gangster's potshots at the banks ... its concern with the fate of war veterans, its unsympathetic attitude toward authority, all this speaks to the present-day and present realities in Canada. Feb 12, 2021 Full Review Shelagh Rowan-Legg That Shelf Speedman continues to grow as an actor. May 14, 2018 Full Review Paul Chambers Movie Chambers "Citizen Gangster" is not exactly riveting. Speedman does the best he can in the title role. He gives his character life even as the sub par script drags us along. Rated: C Oct 2, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member True tale of Eddie (Speedman) - WWII vet and family man that gets fed up with being poor. He dons some dark makeup and starts robbing banks. But once in jail, his associations get darker and the tale turns tragedy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Average film that I struggled to engage with and follow probably due to my mental state rather than the film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member It's been interesting for a while at the beginning. But then. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Based on a true story, the tale of Toronto's most famous bank robber isn't as exciting on film as it is in the history books. The bank heists are exciting and stylish, but there's too much drama and not enough cool, noir gangster moments. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member A very well made period piece of Toronto's most Famous Bank Robber. What's different about this movie as opposed to most gangster films is that it doesn't glorify the lifestyle of a criminal. It takes a very human and real world approach to it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review walter m In "Citizen Gangster," Edwin Boyd(Scott Speedman) is a World War II veteran who works as a bus driver in Toronto. Dreaming of becoming an actor, he walks off the job one day. Now without the means to support his wife Doreen(Kelly Reilly) and two children, they must now rely on the generosity of his father(Brian Cox). At least, until Edwin decides to put some of his theatrical greasepaint and service revolver to use by robbing banks. "Citizen Gangster" is a prime example of a movie not being able to see the forest for the trees, as it is lovingly filmed in muted terms and contains a great deal of period detail. And then almost makes you wonder what the big deal is with this true life story whose biggest surprise is delivered in the postscript.(Saying "you had to have been there" does not count.) Plus, Scott Speedman does nobody any favors in the lead, as he is often overshadowed by the supporting cast, as this movie like many others in the past 20 years simply does not have enough Brian Cox to go around. At least, the story does have a valuable message to deliver, namely find a job you love. Just don't strand any passengers by the side of the road while you do. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Citizen Gangster

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Unable to support his family on a bus driver's salary, World War II veteran Edwin Boyd finds a way to combine his love of acting and his need for money by robbing banks.
Director
Nathan Morlando
Producer
Allison Black
Screenwriter
Nathan Morlando
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
IFC Films
Genre
Biography, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 27, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$625
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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