It's all about McDowell: the narration; multiple shots used to create the same scene; the questioning. Bettany puts in a great performance to complement McDowell, and Thewlis is brilliant as the role model, but it all comes down to Gangster #1. The re-creation of the 60s was excellent right down to the white shag carpeting, the camera work was so good some scenes were disturbing, and for the record: there was full frontal male nudity.