Gangster - Not that original, but not that bad either

`Gangster' (or `Edwin Boyd' or even `Citizen Gangster' depending on which version you own) is nothing particularly new. It's - loosely - based on the true story of World War II veteran, Edwin Boyd, who returns home to America with dreams of being a film star, only to end up being a bank robber instead.

Naturally, this career choice doesn't go down too well with his wife and two small children, who are dragged along for the ride all the way. So the story is basically Edwin on the run vs his long-suffering wife and her pleas to go straight. This is nothing particularly out of the ordinary in terms of plotlines, yet it does its best to put on a good show.

This is partly to do with Kelly Reilly's performance as Edwin's wife. She really is the heart of the film and does well at playing the `emotional ying' to his `unruly yang.'

For a first time film-maker's debut, `Gangster' is certainly a good start. It doesn't bear any hallmarks of being a debut feature. All performances are good, the direction slick and the action dramatic. Plus it's technically a `period piece,' set just after World War II.

If you like gangster films then you should definitely check this one out.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that