Name: How I Fell in Love with a Gangster
Genre: Crime, Action, Drama
Released: 2022-01-05T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Tomasz Włosok, Aleks Kurdzielewicz, Antoni Królikowski, Agnieszka Grochowska, Magdalena Lamparska

The opening shot of How I Fell in Love with a Gangster lingers on a woman’s face, her eyes reflecting flickering neon lights as she begins to recount the tale of Nikodem “Nikoś” Skotarczak. It’s an evocative image, one that promises intrigue and depth—but unfortunately, the film struggles to live up to its promising start.

Directed by Maciej Kawulski, this 2022 Polish crime drama is a biographical account of Nikoś Skotarczak, one of Poland’s most notorious gangsters. The story unfolds through the eyes of a mysterious woman, chronicling Nikoś’ rise from an abused child in Gdańsk to the ruthless ruler of the Polish underworld. With Tomasz Włosok delivering a committed performance as the adult Nikoś and Aleks Kurdzielewicz capturing his younger years with equal intensity, the film boasts a solid foundation.

The early sequences shine when they focus on the gritty details of Nikoś’ criminal empire. The car theft subplot, for instance, is tense and engaging, showcasing Kawulski’s ability to craft suspenseful set pieces. The scene where Nikoś and his gang steal a luxury car from Germany is particularly noteworthy, with Kawulski using tight framing and rapid editing to create a palpable sense of danger. Antoni Królikowski as ‘Komo’, Nikoś’ loyal right-hand man, brings a compelling dynamic to the screen, their camaraderie grounded in a believable history.

However, the film stumbles when it tries to emulate classic gangster epics like Goodfellas and Scarface. The narrative often feels overstuffed, juggling too many subplots without giving any of them the necessary depth. Marc Miller of Ready Steady Cut criticized the lack of detail surrounding Nikoś’s criminal activities, describing the film as “over formulaic.” This is particularly evident in the film’s handling of Nikoś’ rise to power. Instead of a gradual, nuanced exploration of his ascent, we get a series of broad strokes—violence, betrayal, and redemption—that feel more like tropes than authentic character development.

The portrayal of women is another significant misstep. Agnieszka Grochowska as Milena ‘Czarna’ and Magdalena Lamparska as Halina Ostrowska are relegated to passive roles, existing primarily as love interests or confidantes. Their characters lack agency, reduced to reacting to the men around them. The scene where Milena confesses her love for Nikoś in a dimly lit bar is a case in point. Instead of a moment of genuine connection, it feels like a contrived plot device, designed to give Nikoś a motivation rather than to explore Milena’s own desires and fears.

The film’s attempts at mythologizing Nikoś’ life also ring hollow. Instead of a nuanced exploration of a complex figure, we get a series of broad strokes that fail to capture the nuances of his character. This is particularly evident in the film’s handling of Nikoś’ troubled childhood. While Włosok delivers a powerful performance in these scenes, the film never fully explores the long-term effects of his abuse, reducing it to a simplistic explanation for his criminal behavior.

Yet, despite these flaws, How I Fell in Love with a Gangster has moments that shine. The chemistry between Włosok and Królikowski is genuine, their performances grounded in a believable history that makes their friendship feel real. The film’s exploration of Nikoś’ troubled childhood adds a layer of tragedy to his rise, making it easier to empathize with his character despite his crimes.

The cinematography, particularly in the early sequences, captures the gritty underbelly of Gdańsk with an evocative realism. The use of natural light and handheld camera work creates a sense of immediacy, drawing the viewer into Nikoś’ world. This is particularly effective in the film’s opening sequence, where we see Nikoś as a young boy, running through the streets of Gdańsk, his face lit by the flickering neon lights.

The film also benefits from its historical setting. The depiction of 1980s and 1990s Poland provides a fascinating backdrop to the story, highlighting the social and political changes that took place during this period. This is particularly evident in the film’s exploration of the car theft subplot, which reflects the economic realities of post-communist Poland.

However, these strengths are not enough to save the film from its ultimate downfall. The narrative is often convoluted and confusing, with too many characters and subplots vying for attention. This is particularly evident in the film’s third act, where a series of betrayals and double-crosses culminate in a final showdown that feels rushed and unsatisfying.

In the end, How I Fell in Love with a Gangster is a missed opportunity. It has the makings of a great crime drama—a compelling central performance, a fascinating historical figure, and a director capable of crafting tense set pieces—but it falters under the weight of its own ambition. The film’s attempts to emulate classic gangster epics ultimately ring hollow, failing to capture the depth and nuance of these films.

This is not to say that the film is without merit. It has moments of genuine brilliance, particularly in its exploration of Nikoś’ troubled childhood and the chemistry between Włosok and Królikowski. However, these strengths are overshadowed by the film’s narrative confusion and one-dimensional portrayal of women.

In conclusion, How I Fell in Love with a Gangster is a film that tries to do too much but ultimately falls short. It is a crime drama that struggles to find its own voice amidst the shadows of classic gangster epics, resulting in a narrative that feels overstuffed and confusing.