I Always Wanted to Be a Gangster

2007

1h 53m

Comedy

Drama

List

Reviews

72%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

In the first of four intertwined stories, Gino (Edouard Baer) contemplates robbing a roadside diner, until he learns a surprising bit of information. Desperate for money, Leon (Bouli Lanners) and an accomplice take the daughter of a wealthy executive hostage, but soon realize they've gotten more than they bargained for. Later, a pair of middle-aged rock stars (Arno, Alain Bashung) argue over an old theft, while a group of former criminals make their way to their old hideaway.

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Jay Weissberg

Variety

Reasonably diverting and handsomely shot in black-and-white, I Always Wanted to Be a Gangster is a pleasant four-chapter reverie on modest but failed aspirations and unlikely contentment.

Jan 30, 2008

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Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

Although the film has a fluffiness that means it is unlikely to linger long in the memory, it is nevertheless a fun ride.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 15, 2009

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Joseph Proimakis

Movies for the Masses

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Rated: 2/5

May 10, 2009

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laurent b

Beautiful, funny and arty movies. One of the best of the director, along with Macadam stories

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The humour was great and loved the minimalistic direction. It proves, once again, that movies can be made with simplicity and low budgets and still be entertaining, engaging and enlightening. I'm sure it would have been even more hilarious in French. The honesty in the movie was palpable. The ending was a bit blah though. It could have come together a bit better. Epilogue was alright, albeit stretched out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

surreal black and white episodic comedy, almost goddard-lite if u wanna be pretentious. My favourite is the 5 old gangster's reunion

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Funny, and the camera work is fantastic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

Realmente aburrida, bastante infantil, con buena musica de fondo pero al extremo inocente y tonta. Tres historias de atracadores igual de peligrosos que el payaso Tuerquita, filmada en blanco y negro y con mucha alusion al cine yanqui. Anna Mouglalis luce preciosa.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

Realmente aburrida, bastante infantil, con buena musica de fondo pero al extremo inocente y tonta. Tres historias de atracadores igual de peligrosos que el payaso Tuerquita, filmada en blanco y negro y con mucha alusion al cine yanqui. Anna Mouglalis luce preciosa.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Samuel Benchetrit

Director

Anna Mouglalis

Suzy - la serveuse

Édouard Baer

Gino - le braqueur

Jean Rochefort

Jean

Laurent Terzieff

Émile

Jean-Pierre Kalfon

Max

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Frozen River, The Wackness Lead 2008 Sundance Winners

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Synopsis

In the first of four intertwined stories, Gino (Edouard Baer) contemplates robbing a roadside diner, until he learns a surprising bit of information. Desperate for money, Leon (Bouli Lanners) and an accomplice take the daughter of a wealthy executive hostage, but soon realize they've gotten more than they bargained for. Later, a pair of middle-aged rock stars (Arno, Alain Bashung) argue over an old theft, while a group of former criminals make their way to their old hideaway.

Director: Samuel Benchetrit
Producer: Olivier Delbosc, Marc Missonnier
Screenwriter: Samuel Benchetrit
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital