Citizen Gangster

Citizen Gangster

Year: 2012

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Nathan Morlando

DramaCrime

Eddie Boyd, a World War II veteran, struggles to balance his family life with a secret longing for a career in Hollywood. Driven by this ambition, he turns to robbing banks to finance his dreams, but his actions lead him down a perilous path. As he chases stardom, Eddie finds himself increasingly entangled in a dangerous cycle of crime and tragedy, forcing him to confront the devastating consequences of his choices and the difficult realities of pursuing an unattainable dream.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Citizen Gangster (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Citizen Gangster (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Post-World War II

The aftermath of World War II was a period defined by disillusionment and the search for identity among veterans. Many faced economic hardships and struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and frustration. Edwin Boyd's story unfolds within this tumultuous context, where former soldiers grapple with their past and their aspirations.

Location

Toronto

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, serves as the backdrop for Edwin Boyd's tumultuous journey. Known for its diverse culture and vibrant arts scene, it contrasts sharply with Boyd's struggles as he navigates his lackluster life as a bus driver. The cityscape reflects the stark reality of post-war life, symbolizing both opportunity and despair.

🏙️ City 🇨🇦 Canada

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

Main Characters – Citizen Gangster (2012)

Meet the key characters of Citizen Gangster (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Edwin Boyd (Scott Speedman)

Edwin Boyd is a complex character, a World War II veteran turned criminal who is seeking both financial stability and a sense of purpose. His charm and charisma initially attract media attention, but as his criminal activities escalate, he becomes increasingly torn between his ambitions and the love for his family. Boyd's journey is marked by desperation, conflict, and a search for redemption.

👨‍✈️ Veteran 💔 Family Man 🏴‍☠️ Criminal

Doreen (Kelly Reilly)

Doreen is Edwin's devoted wife who embodies loyalty amidst turmoil. Her unwavering support highlights her strength, but as Edwin's criminal pursuits escalate, her faith in him wavers. Doreen's character showcases the emotional toll that desperation and despair can take on a family, revealing her struggle to maintain her family's integrity.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 💖 Devoted Wife 😔 Struggling

Lenny Jackson (Kevin Durand)

Lenny Jackson is a hardened veteran who partners with Edwin in crime. His tough exterior is coupled with a shared background as a soldier, which creates a unique bond with Edwin. However, the escalating tensions between the two introduce a competitive strain, reflecting the struggles of camaraderie versus survival in their criminal endeavors.

⚔️ Veteran 🔫 Criminal 🥊 Tough Guy

Val Kozak (Joseph Cross)

Val Kozak is a conflicted gang member juggling the pressures of his illicit lifestyle with his responsibilities towards his family. His extramarital affair highlights his yearning for affection and affirmation, revealing a deeply layered character. Val's journey showcases the duality faced by men trying to navigate love and crime within a society that pushes them to the edges.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Family Man 💔 Lover 🏴‍☠️ Gang Member

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

Major Themes – Citizen Gangster (2012)

Explore the central themes of Citizen Gangster (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Family Strain

The strain of Edwin Boyd's criminal activities on his marriage highlights the theme of family and its fragility. As he seeks to provide for his loved ones, the choices he makes put immense pressure on his relationship with Doreen. The movie reveals how desperation can lead to conflict within a family, ultimately testing the bonds of love.

⚔️ Veteran Struggles

The film explores the unique challenges faced by war veterans as they attempt to reintegrate into society. Edwin's journey reflects the larger narrative of trauma and the quest for purpose after service. The bonds formed with fellow veterans like Lenny Jackson offer a glimpse into the camaraderie developed in adversity, but also the darker paths some choose to tread.

💰 Crime and Morality

The temptation of crime and the moral dilemmas surrounding it are central to Boyd's transformation from an everyday man to a notorious robber. His descent into the criminal underworld raises questions about the lengths one might go to in pursuit of dreams and the consequences that follow. This theme underscores the thin line between survival and wrongdoing.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about desperate criminal spirals like Citizen Gangster

Ordinary people pushed to crime by desperation, leading to inevitable tragedy.If you were captivated by the tragic downfall of Eddie Boyd in Citizen Gangster, you'll find similar stories here. This collection features dramatic crime films about ordinary people pushed to the brink, where the pursuit of a dream or escape from desperation leads to a heartbreaking cycle of crime and consequence.

desperategrimtenseregretfulhopelessanxiousmelancholictragic

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often from an ordinary background, who makes a fateful decision to commit crimes. This initial act sets off a chain reaction, pulling them deeper into a dangerous world. The story methodically charts their moral decay, the strain on their personal relationships, and their inevitable collision with justice or tragedy, focusing on the human cost above all.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a specific character archetype: the sympathetic yet flawed anti-hero whose criminal journey is a clear descent. They share a heavy emotional weight, a bleak tone, and a steady pacing that allows the tragedy to unfold with grim inevitability.

Grim post-war dramas with tragic arcs like Citizen Gangster

Stories of soldiers struggling to find meaning and stability after returning from war.For viewers who appreciated the post-war trauma and disillusionment central to Citizen Gangster, this section features similar films. Discover movies that explore the bleak realities faced by veterans, where the battlefront is replaced by a different kind of struggle at home, often leading to tragic consequences.

grimmelancholichopelessanxioustenseregretfuldisillusionedtraumatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a veteran grappling with unseen wounds and a feeling of alienation upon returning home. The promise of a peaceful life is shattered by economic hardship, fractured relationships, and internal turmoil. The story often follows their desperate attempts to reclaim control or find purpose, which can lead them down dark and self-destructive paths.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific historical context and thematic focus. They share a bleak, grounded tone and a heavy emotional weight derived from exploring the lasting impact of war on the human psyche. The pacing is often steady, allowing for a deep, character-focused study of trauma and societal failure.

Unlock the Full Story of Citizen Gangster

Don't stop at just watching — explore Citizen Gangster in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Citizen Gangster is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Citizen Gangster Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Citizen Gangster, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Citizen Gangster Summary

Citizen Gangster Timeline

Track the full timeline of Citizen Gangster with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Citizen Gangster Timeline

Citizen Gangster Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Citizen Gangster that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Citizen Gangster Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Citizen Gangster

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Citizen Gangster: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Citizen Gangster

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