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 Tomasz Włosok’s Nikodem “Nikos” Skotarczak, a charismatic criminal whose smile masks the brutality beneath. Directed by Maciej Kawulski, this Polish crime saga charts the rise and fall of one of Poland’s most notorious gangsters, inspired by true events.

The film’s framing device—a mysterious woman recounting Nikos’ story—promises depth, but Kawulski’s execution feels uneven. The early scenes, depicting Nikos’ abusive childhood and his ascent through petty crime, are compelling. Włosok delivers a magnetic performance, embodying Nikos’ charm and ruthlessness with equal measure. His chemistry with Antoni Królikowski’s ‘Komo’ adds authenticity to their criminal partnership.

However, the film stumbles in its pacing and structure. The narrative sprawls across decades, often sacrificing momentum for episodic storytelling. Scenes of car thefts and smuggling operations, while visually stylish, lack the tension and detail that would make them gripping. Kawulski’s direction occasionally veers into glamorization, particularly in sequences depicting Nikos’ lavish lifestyle, which undercuts the moral ambiguity the film seeks to explore.

The supporting cast is strong, with Aleks Kurdzielewicz offering a standout performance as young Nikos. However, the female characters—including Agnieszka Grochowska’s Milena ‘Czarna’ and Magdalena Lamparska’s Halina Ostrowska—are largely one-dimensional, reduced to passive figures in Nikos’ life. This critique aligns with wider observations about the film’s “mythologization of criminal life” and its portrayal of women as submissive.

The film’s soundtrack is a highlight, elevating key scenes with a blend of period-appropriate tracks and original compositions. Yet, even this strength can’t fully compensate for the narrative’s shortcomings. The final act, which details Nikos’ downfall, feels rushed, denying the character and audience a more satisfying resolution.

How I Fell in Love with a Gangster aims to be a sweeping crime epic but ultimately falls short due to its pacing issues and lack of depth in key areas.