Gangsters Representation in Films

I love gangster films but I was thinking the other day about how the gangsters are represented in films.

Most gangster films are based on real life organisations. These people steal, murder and run their life with complete disregard to any laws and other people feelings. Yet every mob film I watch shows these same people to be heroes and people admire them.

My question to you people is: Do you believe that this representation is healthy? I know someone will turn round and say "It's only a film, don't take it seriously" but they're based on real life events and some films portray them as acceptable and admirable actions.

What are your views on the subject?

i really like "Gangster No.1"

And as for your question, No comment.

Gangsters do what gangsters do: anything that they have to do in order to get what they want. If they ruin a few lives, it's what they do.

Do I idolize that? No. Do I think that it's fun to watch? Hell, yes.

I love gangster movies.

Before anybody asks, I think that Goodfellas is the greatest gangster film ever.

Originally posted by Impediment
Goodfellas is the greatest gangster film ever.

Nothing else really needs to be said now

Originally posted by Impediment
Before anybody asks, I think that Goodfellas is the greatest gangster film ever.

What about The Untouchables?

The Untouchables was good, but I really do despise Kevin Costner's acting.

I don't think the gangsters in gangster films such as Casino or Goodfellas are being portrayed as heroes. I think that because they are on the big screen, and because they surround themselves with luxury, fine cars, hot women, etc., they seem to be shown in a light of something one might aspire to, but in the end the gangsters usually end up dead or in protective custody, so there's really nothing heroic about that.

most representations of gangsters are completely farcicial...the only really accurate portrayal was in the sopranos...it was to the point where the crime families of new york were convinced someone was leaking information to HBO about them

but the sopranos was able to achieve this without showing gangsters as constantly living the party and crime lifestyle and showed them in normal family life...

films cant do this and so have to focus on the gritty stuff in order to hold interest