We are often curious why Canadians struggle to tell Canadian stories. Citizen Gangster is a good example in telling the story of Canadian gangster and alleged murderer Edwin Alonzo Boyd.
Edwin Boyd (Scott Speedman) is back from World War II and working as a Toronto bus driver. Boyd is frustrated and antsy trying to support his English wife Doreen (English actor Kelly Reilly) and their 2 children. Boyd also wants to be an actor, which would be corny in a made up story but is part of his life.
Boyd combines his love for acting and desire to get money by using theatrical greasepaint, which ends up being a persona that makes him not a typical bank robber.
Boyd is rather successful in his new life until he gets called and goes to jail. There Boyd meets Lenny Jackson (Kevin Durand), who once they escape from prison, becomes a part of Boyd's gang along with Ann Roberts (Melanie Scrofano) and Val Kozak (American actor Joseph Cross). Kozak's girlfriend Mary Mitchell (Charlotte Sullivan) is along for the ride.
Edwin and Doreen spend quite a bit of time together, even with being a criminal on the run. Somehow, robbing banks and being on the run isn't doing their marriage too well. He wants a better life for his family; she wants a quieter life that doesn't involve the police.
Nathan Morlando tells a straight ahead story in his writing and directing of Boyd's life. You almost feel like you are watching this film in Grade 11 as a way to learn some modern Canadian history.
Speedman is dynamic in the lead role and makes you root for the bad guy in this story. Reilly makes the best out of her situation. Durand's character is the most pronounced of the gang, A struggle to imagine but Scrofano's character does virtually nothing in this film.
Detective Rhys (William Mapother) chases after Boyd and his gang. Ironically, Boyd's father (Brian Cox) is a retired policeman.
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There isn't much tension or motivation to grab you other than Boyd isn't the typical bank robber. Set your expectations low and you will be entertained.
Citizen Gangster actually ran in the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival under the title Edwin Boyd. As we have seen, film titles do change.
Citizen Gangster won the Best Canadian First Feature Film at TIFF 2011. The film also made the TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list. 3 of the actors received Genie Award nominations: Best Actor (Speedman), Best Supporting Actor (Durand), and Best Supporting Actress (Sullivan).
Citizen Gangster is available on Tubi in the United States.
video credit: MovieStation
photo credit: Citizen Gangster
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