How I Fell in Love with a Gangster

Most of the elements of a good gangster crime drama are here, but unfortunately, they don't make for a good movie. Part of the issue in How I Fell in Love with a Gangster has to do with the source material, as Nikodem's actual life should seem to limit what this film could do. For example, they can't depict Nikodem as dull or boring if everyone knew him to be charming and charismatic. But the problem here is that Nikodem's portrayal is simply not that interesting. He isn't all that charismatic. Passionate, sure. Really wants to make money and be "a gangster," sure. He likes sex and drugs, sure. But is there any danger about him? Anything unique? Any explosive anger like Tony Soprano (The Sopranos) or Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)? Anything terrifying about him like Bill Cutting (Gangs of New York)? Not at all. Nikodem isn't a killer, not scary, and his depiction here doesn't justify why so many people in Poland supposedly adore him.

There are a few characters around Nikodem who are terrifying in different ways, but sadly they only further emphasize how underwhelming Nikodem's character is. Outside of having sex, drinking, and doing drugs, Nikodem isn't much of a gangster at all. Also, this movie is brutally long at 3 hours. While it clearly wants to be an epic, this chronological biopic could've had many of its chapters cut. This film has a lot of love for its subject, perhaps too much, as this glamorization of his life feels shallow and unable to get to anything meaningful about the real Nikodem. His actions, behavior, and reasons for doing things all remain the same the entire film, as does the viewer's view of him.