Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s overlooked cinematic collaboration from 2013 has just landed on Prime Video.
This A-list Hollywood pair is famously celebrated for their on-screen romance in the hit rom-com Crazy Stupid Love and the award-winning musical La La Land.
Yet, in the gap between these two successes, they featured together in a rather different project that has since slipped under the radar.
Directed by the man behind Venom and Zombieland, Ruben Fleischer, Gangster Squad didn’t quite earn rave reviews upon its release and failed to captivate cinema enthusiasts.
In the film, Gosling takes on the role of Sergeant Jerry Wooters, a battle-scarred WWII veteran determined to topple Los Angeles mob boss Mickey Cohen (portrayed by Sean Penn), with the aid of his fellow officer Sergeant John O’Mara (Josh Brolin), reports the Mirror.
Stone brings life to Grace Faraday, an etiquette teacher entangled with Cohen who eventually succumbs to Jerry’s charms in this suave pastiche of classic noir thrillers.
Although Gangster Squad didn’t seize imaginations as vigorously as the duo’s other ventures, admirers of Gosling and Stone should certainly grab the chance to revisit it now that it’s available on Prime Video.
The movie has gained traction as an underappreciated delight, with one Letterboxd critic expressing: “Definitely underrated as a movie and I definitely didn’t expect it to get such bad reviews on several famous platforms.
“Although its script and plot were nothing out of the ordinary and original the film’s vibes and noir genre were definitely what I loved about it!”
Another viewer was thoroughly captivated: “This one smashed it out of the park for me. I had low expectations going in but came out very pleasantly surprised and to be honest, pretty damn impressed.
“Great cast, superb production design, fantastic shootouts and overall, really well made and hugely enjoyable. I loved it.”
Meanwhile, a puzzled fan queried: “What did this movie ever do to you guys to receive all bad ratings?”
Similar sentiments were echoed on a recent Reddit thread, with a cinema buff posting: “Gangster Squad (2013) is actually pretty good.
“This one really surprised me… And just to clarify right off of the bat, I’m not saying I think it deserved any Oscars or anything, but it’s way more fun than I was expecting the gangster-movie from the director of Zombieland, Venom, and Uncharted to be… (man, Ruben Fleischer has an odd filmography.)”
Meanwhile, Google reviews are brimming with five-star accolades, including one enthusiastic fan branding it “CRIMINALLY UNDERATED”.
Deepening their praise, they added: “This is the modern day untouchables,” before extolling the virtues of its setting and characterisation: “1940s LA is such a beautiful setting. The writing for the characters is great.
“A true sense of brotherhood. Sean Penn portrays a terrifying Mickey Cohen. The action is top notch.”
If you haven’t yet given Gangster Squad a chance, don’t let Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s critically undervalued partnership evade your watch list.
Gangster Squad is available to stream on Prime Video.