Title: London Boulevard

Starring: Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley and Ray Winstone (‘The Departed,’ ‘Beowulf’)

The contrasting lifestyles of South London’s criminal underground and the West London celebrity world are two existences that don’t often cross paths in literature and on-screen. But author Ken Bruen interestingly combined the two lifestyles in his noir crime novel ‘London Boulevard,’ which was effortlessly translated to the screen by first-time director William Monahan. The filmmaker, who is most remembered for winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2007 for the gangster film ‘The Departed,’ brought his knowledge of the conflicting methods of gangsters to the screen adaptation of ‘London Boulevard.’ He also modernized the story to chronicle the trapped feeling celebrities face during the height of their fame.

‘London Boulevard’ follows Mitchel (played by Colin Farrell), a newly released prisoner who just spent three years in Pentonville Prison for getting into a violent altercation. Mitchell is determined to turn his life around and distance himself from the gangster lifestyle that led to his incarceration. However, his old friend, low-level gangster Billy (portrayed by Ben Chaplin), meets Mitchel as he leaves the prison, offering him a place to stay in exchange for help on a job. Mitchel also catches the eye of ruthless mob boss Gant (played by Ray Winstone), who believes he will be an asset to his business. When Mitchel refuses Gant’s job offer, the mobster entangles him in a web of extortion and murder. Gant uses increasingly violent tactics to lure Mitchel, as he would rather see him dead than free.

While fighting off Gant’s persistent and vicious antics, Mitchel takes a job guarding famous actress and model Charlotte (portrayed by Keira Knightley) at her Holland Park mansion. Mitchel helps Charlotte’s house manager, Jordan (played by David Thewlis), fight off aggressive reporters and stalkers, as well as Billy’s attempts to steal from Charlotte. In the process, Mitchel and Charlotte come to love each other, as they both feel prisoned and can’t break from those determined to keep them in their present lifestyles.

Monahan brilliantly stays faithful to the tones and themes presented in Bruen’s novel, while modernizing the story to give it its own personality. For an independent movie, Monahan remained dedicated to researching and accurately preparing to showcase both the evil worlds of gangs and celebrity life. The gangster thriller stays true to the novel by accurately portraying the ruthless nature of British mob bosses in Gant. While he acts alluring to Mitchel when he first meets him, he quickly changes his attitude when Mitchel makes it known he’s determined to better his life and stay away from the gangster lifestyle.

Gant and Mitchel are the perfect opposites to each other, as Gant is more impulsive and will take whatever means necessary to get what he wants, no matter what the consequences. He quite enjoys getting in other people’s faces to intimidate them and get them to what what he wants. Mitchel, on the other hand, is more concerned with protecting his loved ones, including Charlotte and his sister, Briony (portrayed by Anna Friel), who’s addicted to alcohol and taking other people’s money. Mitchel is also more calculating than Gant, as he wants to outsmart the mob boss, instead of beating him in a physical fight.

Monahan also took a risky move when he decided to make Charlotte a young actress fleeing from the dark side of fame in the film, instead of the faded star she was portrayed as in the novel. In today’s society, celebrities around the world are so scrutinized by the media for their personal lives that they have an ambivalent feeling towards their fame. Much like Mitchel was a prisoner for being in a fight, Charlotte feels like a prisoner in her own home, as she can’t even step outside without photographers taking her picture and asking her questions. Monahn has said that fame has become a prison in London, where the paparazzi scream at, and chase after, young actresses just to get a picture of them crying.

The director also proved his skills by hiring Farrell and Knightley to portray the lead characters. In the beginning of ‘London Boulevard,’ Farrell brought the brutality and bitterness many prisoners feel after being released from prison to Mitchel. He portrayed the character as wanting to break free from the gangster lifestyle, but reluctantly falling back to his old ways after Billy points out he has no where else to go. But once he meets Charlotte, he sees she feels the same way as he does-trapped by her career, and having no way out. Charlotte and Mitchel’s struggle to escape their prisons will surely resonate with many viewers who want to reinvent their lives, but don’t have the courage, or the connections or monetary means, to do so.

Thewlis was a great addition to ‘London Boulevard’s cast as well. Monahan has also said that he knew as soon as he wrote the character of Jordan, he wanted the actor to play the role. Jordan, like Charlotte, is afraid of the outside world, but for different reasons. Jordan, an alcoholic and drug user, has tried several careers, including acting, film producing and being musician, but has failed at them all. He’s nervous to try something new, and connects with Charlotte over their apprehension over the public. But Thewlis was still able to bring humor to the role, and didn’t take life seriously. He was perfectly content with the way his life is, and embraces whatever challenges come his way.

For a first time director, Monahan did a fantastic job staying true to the themes of Bruen’s novel, while also contemporizing the story to modern-day London. Mitchel and Charlotte both constantly battle their own respective prisons, and both feel the need to change their lifestyles to better themselves. Monahan also made the right decision in hiring Farrell and Knightley for the lead roles, as they both transformed and developed their characters. While many people can’t relate to Mitchel’s gangster life and Charlotte’s worldwide fame, the characters do represent everyone’s desire to achieve something better.

Technical: B+

Overall: A-

Written by: Karen Benardello