For many, the allure of the outlaw, the rebel, the one who lives life on their own terms, holds a certain fascination. The film How I Fell In Love With A Gangster (original Polish title: Jak pokochałam gangstera) dives headfirst into this complex attraction, presenting a story allegedly rooted in the real-life exploits of Nikodem “Nikos” Skotarczak. This isn’t your typical guns-blazing gangster flick; instead, it offers a more nuanced, character-driven narrative that explores the rise and fall of a charismatic criminal in post-communist Eastern Europe. As a viewer, you might find yourself unexpectedly drawn into Nikos’s world, even questioning the very definition of a “gangster.”
The movie, clocking in at a substantial three hours, introduces us to Nikos (played with captivating charm by Tomasz Wlosok) through the eyes of an unnamed woman recounting her involvement with him. From a troubled youth in Poland to becoming a prominent figure in the car theft underworld of the late 80s and 90s, Nikos’s journey is anything but ordinary. He assembles a crew, engages in illegal activities, yet manages to maintain an almost affable persona. He’s portrayed less as a ruthless killer and more as an opportunist seeking fortune and freedom, someone who’d rather outsmart his adversaries than resort to brute force. This portrayal makes it surprisingly easy to root for Nikos, at least initially. As some characters within the film themselves ponder, is he truly a gangster, or something else entirely?
Tomasz Wlosok delivers a compelling performance as Nikodem ‘Nikos’ Skotarczak in ‘How I Fell in Love With a Gangster’, a Polish crime drama exploring the life of a notorious, yet charismatic, gangster.
However, the narrative takes a darker turn as Nikos navigates the increasingly treacherous criminal landscape. Prison stints punctuate his ascent, and upon each release, he finds the underworld more violent and less forgiving. Loyalty becomes a rare commodity, and the lines between right and wrong blur further. While Nikos might resist the label of “gangster,” the individuals surrounding him embody the term in its most brutal sense. He finds himself caught between law enforcement and rival gangs vying for power, all while grappling with personal desires – a yearning for domesticity with his wife and a wish to be a present father. These aspirations clash starkly with his chosen path, creating internal conflict and external pressures. Adding another layer of complexity is Nikos’s belief in a family curse, a grim prophecy of violent death that looms over him every six years, fueling a sense of fatalism.
The film employs a somewhat unconventional narrative structure. The framing device of a reporter interviewing a past lover provides a personal lens, yet the consistent breaking of the fourth wall by Nikos’s associates creates a sense of detachment and questions the reliability of the storytelling. While these direct addresses to the audience can be effective at times, they also contribute to a slightly disjointed viewing experience. Furthermore, the three-hour runtime feels indulgent. For every scene that genuinely advances the plot or deepens character understanding, there are moments that feel derivative of other gangster films, clichés that slightly dilute the film’s originality. The introduction of a volatile partner like Silvio, for instance, telegraphs a predictable descent into chaos and betrayal.
Despite these shortcomings, How I Fell In Love With A Gangster manages to be a compelling watch, largely due to Tomasz Wlosok’s magnetic portrayal of Nikos. He masterfully captures Nikos’s evolution from a buoyant, almost reckless young criminal to a world-weary, melancholic middle-aged man haunted by his choices and awaiting his perceived destiny. Wlosok’s performance anchors the film, making Nikos’s tragic trajectory genuinely impactful. The film’s atmosphere is further enhanced by its visual style, contrasting the drab, industrial backdrop of communist-era Poland with the gaudy, neon-lit extravagance of Nikos’s criminal lifestyle. While the soundtrack occasionally leans into cliché, the poignant use of Moby’s “One Of These Mornings” in the concluding scenes adds a layer of emotional depth. Ultimately, Nikos emerges as a tragic figure, a man out of sync with the increasingly brutal world he inhabits, unable to comprehend the transformation of the underworld from a playground of opportunity to a ruthless battleground. For viewers intrigued by character-driven crime stories and the seductive, yet ultimately destructive, allure of the gangster lifestyle, How I Fell In Love With A Gangster offers a worthwhile, if lengthy, cinematic journey.
