"The Long Good Friday": Underrated British Crime Goodness!

Okay, film nerds, had to drop my two cents on "The Long Good Friday" after finally watching it. I'm always on the hunt for great British crime stuff that isn't just Ritchie or Edgar Wright (though I love them!), and this one seriously delivered. I'm kicking myself for not seeing it sooner. The way director John Mackenzie (I had to look him up, tbh) builds the tension throughout is just chef's kiss. You feel Harold Shand's frustration and mounting panic as everything he's built starts crumbling, and it's all done so subtly at first. Bob Hoskins is absolutely magnetic as Shand. Like, I can't imagine anyone else in that role. He perfectly balances the charm and the brutal violence. The scene where he's interrogating his henchmen after the pub bombing is just insane. That controlled rage? Chilling. And Helen Mirren as Victoria is fantastic too – she's not just a damsel; she's sharp and clearly his equal in a way. The cinematography, especially in the final scene, is really impactful... the entirety of that last scene just with Hoskins' expression, is something that will stick with me for a long time. I was expecting a bloodbath (and there's some of that, for sure), but it's more about the power dynamics and the slow-burn threat. The pacing is surprisingly good; it never feels slow, even though it's building deliberately. I did find the ending a little abrupt, but maybe that was the point? Like, boom, it's over. You're left with the discomfort more than any resolution. Overall, if you're into gritty crime films with strong performances and a surprisingly relevant storyline (considering it's from 1980!), give "The Long Good Friday" a watch. It's definitely earned a spot on my list of favorite British films. Let me know what you think if you've seen it or decide to check it out!