Cardboard Gangsters (2017) User Reviews

Spoiler alert.

[brianlay65321 · 7/10 · 12 October 2018]

Loved the movie. Great actors. Especially Jay is very believeable.

It seems so stupid that Jay chooses to drive back and save Kim. He just killed her son. What did he expect?

Great film

[cmcchere · 7/10 · 1 March 2018]

I feel the 6.5 on IMDB is spot on. Its a great amateur film and very true to life. Very tense the whole way through, most of the dialogue was spot on and it really gave a glimpse into the lives and mindset of those living in darndale, one of the roughest suburbs of dublin. Loads of social problems but very close knit family units and a strong sense of community. Those horses actually do run about the place as well.

Well worth a watch.

Wish there were more films like this

[Ruskington · 7/10 · 6 September 2020]

I was surprised to see so many negative reviews for Cardboard Gangsters, I personally thought it was extremely impressive. Many of these council estate gangster movies are far too excessive and unrealistic, but this movie feels authentic and believable thanks to a really solid cast. John Connors' lead performance was particularly impressive and should be a sign of good things to come for him.

What impressed me most was its ability to capture the horrifying bleakness of life on these estates while never becoming too heavy or overbearing. Being ninety minutes long certainly helps, as does a strong soundtrack and engaging characters.

I appreciate that this type of story has been done many times and that there was nothing particularly original about the plot. But despite that, the combination of strong acting, powerful cinematography and excellent pacing makes this a thoroughly impressive production.

Definitely watchable

[SL_180 · 8 February 2018]

I didn't read any reviews before watching I just stumbled accross the movie on Netflix and figured I'd give it a go. The story is okay but it's been done a million times before. I do think they did a good job with it though overall. The acting is okay too nothing brilliant. If you're in to films like this though I'd definitely reccomend giving it a watch. I wasn't bored at all watching the whole film which is quite unusual for me. I also developed a liking for the main character.

Good, gritty crime film

[r96sk · 7/10 · 2 April 2020]

Good, gritty crime film.

'Cardboard Gangsters' is very much worth a watch, it's relatively well made. The plot is nothing spectacular, you can probably guess where it's all heading, though that doesn't mean it's a bad film one bit.

John Connors carries things nicely as Jay, but Fionn Walton as Dano would be my pick of the bunch - he is pretty impressive. Damien Dempsey and Kierston Wareing also give noteworthy performances.

It's a little predictable no doubt, but this is a film that is definitely worth viewing.

Worth the watch!

[asneyd · 6/10 · 8 October 2020]

I felt like I was looking through a time machine into the suburb I grew up in. Everyone trying to make a fast buck no matter what side of the law they fall on. No respect for cops. A major struggle. Lots of eccentric characters. Yes the acting is average but I think this adds to the gritty nature of the film. Worth the watch if your not a pompous moron keyboard warrior who thinks they're some kind of movie specialist.

Good movie

[baywoodarborist · 7/10 · 2 March 2021]

Really I gave it a seven because it did so many things right. But the overall story was lacking. You can tell it had a low budget but it was done well. The main character did a good job and the camera work was gritty. The only scenes that didn't work for me were the dancing scenes but that might have just been me. Whoever directed this film should get more work. Lastly I dug the heavy dialect it made the movie all that more convincing.

Better than expected

[Mango-30793 · 6/10 · 9 June 2019]

I wasn't expecting too much and was pleasantly entertained for the full movie. Very realistic as I grew up in quite a similar environment growing up and found the aggression in the walk and talk of the a holes wandering about quite accurate so the Director achieved what he wanted to there. A lot of reviewers are saying the acting was awful but in fact they acted like nobody prix very well so...job done. Dark story with a bad ending and lessons to be learned ... An all round good effort on a low budget but a higher one wasn't needed. You can see this in reality any day of the week so it didn't feel like you were watching a movie at all , again this is a compliment to Director. Well done.

Honest and Gritty

[Wexicano · 9/10 · 10 November 2017]

I felt compelled to give a review of this movie having read some of the others who slated it for no reason. For the budget that was allotted for it the show turned out to be one of the most enjoyable Irish movies ever made. It's dark and gritty from the start and doesn't hide from the audience the intended plot. The show fixates on the grand delusions of low end dealers in Dublin who really have no idea what they're getting in for. John as the central role plays his character to perfection and really holds the whole flick together. For a complete bunch of unknowns I take my hat off to them for being part of this rlly enjoyable drug based drama. Simple plot with expected finale but even though I knew what was coming that was OK. The film told us that from the offset. It doesn't hide itself from the plot. It's honest and gritty so just enjoy it for what it is.

Not a bad film

[johntallen-70345 · 6/10 · 31 January 2019]

I enjoyed it, but you have to forgive a lot in the story telling. A lot of it is very random. But overall it's entertaining.

Five stars is a realistic review.

[ranleehow · 5/10 · 5 January 2021]

The movie is done pretty well for the budget. The main character did a very good job and was believable. If not for the ridiculous ending it could be 6.5 or 7. That he would come back to save the skanky cougar was just stupid and completely ruined the entire movie. In all Acting 7, plot 6, ending 2.

An outstanding non-Hollywood low budget film delivers unnervingly tension and realism!

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 10/10 · 23 October 2017]

How can anyone not like this film keeping in mind this is a non- Hollywood big budget production?! Wow, I was blown away... I still feel uneasy 30 min after the ending credits.

This film was the Irish equivalent to a Tarantino film!

Novice writer and director Mark O'Connor just nailed every aspect of this film. His directing is comparable to any top Hollywood director. Camera angles, close ups, pan-in & outs, just perfect! Even the cinematography and score could have not been fitted any better into this film.

Then we have actor and writer John Connors who just nailed his character so well, you felt you were right there feeling his emotions and tension. It felt as if this was all actually happening and you were just in the background observing everything.

Nothing about this film felt acted, phony or 'Hollywood-ish'. The realism was on point. I've never heard of any of these actors and every single one of them played their characters to perfection.

I'm just shocked at some of these negative reviews, especially the one who was so judgmental on the actors appearances, charisma, etc... and he didn't even get past 20 mins of this masterpiece. Know-it-all critics like that need to be banned from this site, as they are clearly not critics! Try Googling 'how to critique a film' and then analyze each component and you will see this film is a winner. Add the tense enjoyment and realism and this film is perfect.

Do yourself a favor and watch this film, ignore the negative reviews, take your blinders off, and see this film for what it is... a non-Hollywood, low budget amateur film masterpiece. It's a slow start, but gets much better. And if anyone thinks my review is fake, click on my username and you will see I'm more legit than 80% of the people on this site with over 600 ratings and almost 300 reviews!

A perfect and well deserved 10/10 from me! Bravo to John Connors, Mark O'Connor and all the rest of the cast and crew who put together this masterpiece! I hope you win many well deserved awards.

Never anything short of gripping

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 7/10 · 5 June 2020]

If you want a perfect drama with perfect acting, perfect direction, perfect plot, perfect score, perfect tension..... then such a film with a relatively low budget does not exist (apart from Shane Meadows' Dead Man's Shoes obvs). A film needs to be judged on its own merits. And this excellent small budget irish gangster flick is a tense, dark and ultimately human portrayal of young lads getting in a game way over their heads. Always gripping. I wasn't a massive fan of the ending - I won't spoil but a decision was made that was scarcely believable - but very impressive overall. Mark O'Connor is a director to look out for.

4.5-5.0 at best

[randomfx01 · 4/10 · 3 November 2017]

It's watchable, don't get me wrong and you could likely waste an hour and a half and not be overly disappointed, but this is no 6.5+ Gangster flick. A shade above a load-a sh*te. Tired subject and mostly *yawn* acting. IMDb rating system is bordering on the ridiculous these days. It used to be an honest reflection on the film's worth. Now it's just a hooky scam only reflected by those involved in the film and trying to drum-up business and viewers based on dishonest reviews.

Interesting Irish Film

[amyconway-29063 · 7/10 · 16 December 2018]

I registered to IMDB to leave a review as I just watched this film. It's quite an interesting movie. The acting is strong in parts, questionable in other parts but it doesn't undo the film. Some plot points are a little forced but no more than so many other bigger budgeted movies, but they have the top actors, editors, music composers etc to pull of these kind of plot twists. Overall a good Irish film and from others I have seen, it is doing something new in the Irish Film World.

Very good.

[Xander_Gleason · 7/10 · 11 February 2022]

I admit, I put the subtitles on. But what a great movie. I really enjoyed it. It made me feel what they felt, the desperation and anguish. Really good.

Cracking Watch For A Low Budget Film

[antony-murday · 7/10 · 19 August 2022]

Watched it many times since released. Love these types of low-budget UK/Irish/Scottish criminal/hooligan films as even though low budget they are far superior to the high-budget films as you don't expect much from them. Defo worth the watch.

The only downside is, that I enjoyed the music in the film yet no soundtrack was ever released and trying to find the complete tracklist, I give up in the end. Would love this to be released.

I loved it

[ertanasan · 8/10 · 3 February 2020]

This is an extremely underrated movie. I personally like well made low budget underground movies which this is definitely one. All natural flow. But ending is stupidly fast, spontaneous and heartbreaking. How on earth a a cool and smart guy as pictured can be so dull to have no suspicion and could be easily ambushed. It missed a ten...

Worth watching

[thescouseassassin93 · 7/10 · 1 January 2022]

I enjoyed this film, it's no classic, but as a social issue movie it works very well.

I know the Darndale estate from back in the day, and I've recently read about it in a few books, mainly crime and drugs true stories. I do know that as recently as the early 2000's the police (Garda) would not enter the estate after dark! I would happily say the movie accurately portrays the inner city life of the residents and the gang culture that has gripped Dublin in this new century.

Definitely worth a watch if, like me, you don't go in for the Hollywood 'blockbuster' style of movie, but prefer the grittier reality based indictment of the world we currently live in!

Yawn

[craigilove · 1/10 · 22 July 2018]

Aweful film. The acting was terrible, the movie was just trying so hard to be like the rest of films I f that nature. How has it got these rave reviews? Obviously getting your mate to do one..

AVOID!!!

Excellent

[holidaytimmy · 10/10 · 25 September 2018]

Unfortunately a too true story line of this generation. Great acting, drama and intrigue. A credit to all who worked on the film. Definitely worth the awards it won.

not boring at all

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 11 January 2018]

Well, its a low budget movie, with low ranked actors,,a boarding school - aged script,and an ''out of money''-abrupt ending,that should tell alot.but not the whole truth, as i'm writing this rewiew,i have a terrible hangover after 3 nightshifts, and when i am that tired my taste of film alaike are quite squeemish,and i may flick through 20 films and not like anything, so i was amazed that this film should sweeten my taste buds....it didnt bore me at all. though i had great difficulties with the neolittic dialect of english used in this film,i had a good time. some graphic issues at times, but just baby food compared to some low budget chutney /cockney-gangster movies made since 2005. nice filmography at times,allright editing, and brave choice of musical score. worth a watch if you can allow the absence of fine arts.

I wrote this myself

[hughiebyrne · 4/10 · 14 October 2017]

This movie was made on a shoestring budget. And they all shared the same shoestring. Some really stereotypical wannabe Irish 'gangsta' acting in this.

A couple things i noticed: The film has no sense of time passing. It feels like it all happened in one afternoon. Irish police DO NOT get involved in enforcing evictions or serving bailiff summonses. It's a Sheriff who enforces non payment in Ireland not a bailiff.

....sorry i'm not wasting anymore time on this. I'm gonna end it here.

Actually the ending is stupid and only a moron would do that knowing who the person was.

I reckon they only had one shoestring and it was used to hold the plot together.

"Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret"

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 25 February 2021]

This is my second in a row Irish gangster flick, the other being "Calm With Horses". Seems the Irish get their kicks with violent crime movies just like us Americans. I have to say though, the small time gang in this one never had a chance against the local drug lord and his thugs, and a hothead like Connolly (John Connors) was too self centered to realize that unintended consequences would come his way every time he flew off the handle. Getting involved with Kim Murphy (Kierston Wareing) was a major pitfall that would have been discovered in due time with an outcome on the ugly side. I got the biggest kick out of Jay's buddy Dano (Fionn Walton) who talked big but was unable to back up any of his statements or actions. For the non-Irish viewer, it takes a while to get accustomed to the dialog and what the characters are talking about. After enough mentions though, I figured out that a 'gaff' was a place where someone lived, but my favorite was 'session moths', which apparently referred to girls who liked to party. The story has an abrupt if not exactly telegraphed ending when Derra (Jimmy Smallhorne) caught up with Dano and Jay, the biggest mystery being why Jay ran back to Kim out of some sense of loyalty. He should have figured that with the guys he was messing with, she would have been pressured to have him show up to get what was coming to him. He got what was coming big time.

Stupid ending, could have been so much better.

[VIKTORS633 · 6/10 · 6 April 2020]

Good film up until the last act when the main protagonist does something so unbelievably stupid it dropped from an 8/10 to a 6.