Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema poster & wallpaper
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Rapulana Seiphemo, Ronnie Nyakale, Shelly Meskin, Jeffrey Sekele, Malusi Skenjana ... see more see more... , Robert Hobbs , Jafta Mamabolo , Motlatsi Mahloko , Kenneth Nkosi

An uneducated gas station attendant with a taste for the finer things in life turns to crime as a means of making ends meet, only to find himself on a dangerous collision course with the biggest drug ... read more read more...dealer in town. All Lucky Kunene wanted out of life was a house by the water, a beautiful wife, and a 7-series BMW. Unfortunately, Lucky hails from a poor Soweto family, and his application for a university grant has just been refused. Dejected at the thought of spending the rest of his life pumping gas, Lucky teams up with his best friend, Zakes, to start stealing cars. At first the endeavor proves remarkably lucrative -- providing Lucky with enough cash to purchase a refrigerator, a nice suit, a classy wardrobe, and a hi-fi stereo system -- but before long the two thieves realize that their profile is becoming dangerously high, and that in order to avoid arrest they will have to relocate. Five years after moving to Hillbrow, Lucky and Zakes are the operators of a deadbeat taxi service. Their criminal lifestyle has gotten them nowhere, and rival taxi gang members are literally gunning for them night and day. Lucky shares a cramped apartment with 20 other people, mostly junkies, prostitutes, and immigrants with nowhere else to go. Though their existence seems bleak, the group manages to pool their resources and form the Hillbrow People's Housing Trust. But just as Lucky enters into the world of real estate, local detective Blackie Swart makes it his mission to capture the so-called "Hoodlum of Hillbrow" and Nigerian drug kingpin Tony Ngu lays claim to the city. With two of the city's most notorious criminals both preparing for the ultimate showdown, Detective Swart will have to work overtime in order to prevent the streets from becoming a virtual war zone. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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77% liked it

575 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

20 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Ralph Ziman

Release Date: June 11, 2010

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DVD Release Date: September 28, 2010

Stats: 61 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (61)

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Critic Reviews

Robert Abele
July 7, 2010
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

rags-to-riches tale cut from the same cloth as City of God, Goodfellas and Scarface. Full Review

Mike Hale
June 11, 2010
Mike Hale, New York Times

It's easy to overlook the formulas and just enjoy the ride. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
June 11, 2010
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

The opening credits of Gangster's Paradise note that it was "inspired by real events." It would be more accurate to say that the film was inspired by Brian De Palma's Scarface and similar fare. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
June 10, 2010
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Startlingly original, if occasionally overambitious. This is Tsotsi without the feel-good glow, a tale of entrepreneurship's perils and boundless pleasures. Full Review

Nick Schager
June 8, 2010
Nick Schager, Village Voice

Though South Africa's racial strife is frequently invoked, sociopolitical inquiry takes a backseat to creaky gangster-cinema tropes. Full Review

Sophie Ivan
July 20, 2010
Sophie Ivan, Film4

It's hard not to feel such complex, dramatically rich subject matter merits a less prosaic treatment. Full Review

Lee Griffiths
July 16, 2010
Lee Griffiths, Little White Lies

Despite the familiar ground, Ralph Ziman manages to orchestrate an engrossing and energetic film full of memorable characters and a wicked soundtrack.

Rich Cline
July 14, 2010
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

Bold, energetic and extremely complicated, this epic thriller is an eye-opening exploration of ... Johannesburg Full Review

Allan Hunter
July 12, 2010
Allan Hunter, Daily Express

Issues of race and social injustice add a little grit and texture to an otherwise overlong and over familiar gangster story. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
July 8, 2010
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

Sadly things unwind and the movie loses power with covert special pleading for the wiseguy protagonist, who is supposed to be morally superior to obviously vindictive white cops or evil drug dealer ri... Full Review

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