Top 5: Crime Films
This Top 5 focuses on the multi-faceted genre that is Crime films. Movies were only considered if the story revolved around a crime or criminal activity; the life of crime could not just be a backdrop to the action or just a small part of the plot. Additionally, there are a multitude of subtypes within this genre, so while gangster / mobster and heist films were included, I decided to separate out film noirs since they are so unique and could really make their own list down the line. Despite my limited viewings in this genre, come with me down a dark alleyway and run towards the Top 5 Crime Films.
Gibelwho Productions Presents Crime Films:
5. Fargo
4. Catch Me If You Can
3. Pulp Fiction
2. Ocean’s Eleven
1. The Godfather
Fargo (1996) - Crime was never so cheerfully tracked down as by a very pregnant Marge Gunderson in this Coen brothers dark comedy crime film. With stunning photography by Roger Deakins, memorable performances by Frances McDormand and William H. Macy, Fargo is the tale of a bumbling car salesman’s ill conceived extortion plan that is poorly executed by two low rent criminals, and the Minnesota nice police chief that ultimately tracks down the men to a wood chipper in the remote, snowy woods. The film has inspired a television show of the same name that is structured as an anthology series, which aired on FX. Is this movie considered one of the classic crime flicks? Yah, you betcha!
Catch Me If You Can (2002) - Spielberg. Hanks. DiCaprio. The blockbuster trio came together to spin the yarn of a young criminal mastermind in the swingin’ 1960s - a con artist that took on a series of fake identities and paid his way through exploiting check fraud. Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, Leonardo DiCaprio imbues the hoaxer with heart and innocence, even as he is pulling off his various devious stunts. Tom Hanks plays the FBI man who is pursuing the young criminal and who ultimately recognizes his talent for identifying other cons, eventually turning the criminal into an agent of the law.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - An ode to crime novels of the early-to-mid 20th century, the film was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino early in his oeuvre. The story follows multiple characters who are involved in various criminal activities, cleverly playing with chronological order of time through Tarantino’s now familiar use of chapters within the film narrative. The film was not only responsible for John Travolta’s comeback, but further cemented Samuel L. Jackson as the ultimate bad motherf*cker.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - Steven Soderbergh directs a fast-paced romp that centers around a George Clooney and Brad Pitt led heist of not one, but three Las Vegas casinos, all owned by an arrogant Andy Garcia who is dating Clooney’s ex-wife. The joy not only comes from the dynamic and talented team that the duo assembles together, but the entire presentation of the film, including the fantastic soundtrack, the witty screenplay, the playful transitions in the cutting, and the planning and execution of the heist. Crime was never so fun!
The Godfather (1972) - The ultimate film about the mafia, crime, and a family dynasty transferring generations from the top Don to his son. The story follows the quiet and unassuming Michael (Al Pacino), who becomes the Corleone family’s ruthless leader once his father Vito (Marlon Brando) dies, ordering hits on their rivals and maneuvering his way to the top of the mafia business in New York. Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece setup Godfather II, which was listed as the Top 5 Best Sequel, paralleling Vito’s journey to America and Michael’s attempt to hold the family’s business. The Godfather is a film that explores the internal politics of a crime family, filled with men who give no thought to murder, whose criminal exploits fund their lifestyle, and whose corrupting influences taint all who are caught in their web. A universally beloved film, whose storytelling, filmmaking, score, and performances make the life of crime seem incredibly cinematic.
Honorable Mentions:
Chicago (2002) - Already featured on the Top 5 Directorial Debuts, Chicago is a musical crime film that follows the jazz-fueled, tango-dancing, sexy women on murderer’s row. Although Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly most definitely committed the crime of killing their husbands, all they want is to get off scot free and then make it in show business! With a tap happy lawyer, they may get off for their crimes, but it is the fantastic musical sequences that make this a winner with the jury.
Duplicity (2009) - Another genre-bending film, this crime romantic comedy (also listed on Top 5 Overlooked Films) focuses on the elaborate scheming of two con men that attempt to dupe dueling corporations, while also suspiciously navigating their own relationship drama. With a narrative that plays with time, shrewdly revealing salacious tidbits to the audience about the plotting of their crime, the film delights in Julia Roberts and Clive Owen’s delicate relationship dance, and as a viewer you find yourself rooting for their scheme to work, despite the machinations of the ever evolving plot.
Upcoming:
Note - When I first compiled this list, The Many Saints of Newark was an upcoming release, but raising a baby really makes the time fly, and when I actually got to writing up the list, 2021 had come and gone; I am still including it here in the spirit of my original list AND I still haven’t seen the film, so it still counts as upcoming in my own viewing timeline!
The Many Saints of Newark (2021) - I am soooo close to finishing the end of The Sopranos and I’ve heard the ending is quite controversial (don’t spoil anything!). This “prequel” film follows the youth of Tony Soprano, before he is a hardened crime boss that lives in the New Jersey suburbs, and stars James Gandolfini’s actual son in the title role. After spending so many years following the mob boss and his family, it will be interesting to glimpse a peek into his formative years in the 1960s and 70s that set him up to live a life of crime.
