Fred

Fred is a fascinating true-crime documentary film from 2018 that delves into the almost surreal life of one of London’s most infamously renowned gangsters, Freddie Foreman. Directed by Paul Van Carter, this documentary journeys into the heart of Britain's criminal underworld, offering an equal balance of brutality, regret, and personal reflection from one of the key figures from this era of history. It makes a very noticeable departure from a typical fictionalized gangster flick, providing an in-depth look into Freddie's life and the criminal underworld that has shaped Britain’s post-war history.

The film seamlessly blends talking-head interviews, archival footage, old photos, evocative music, and illustrative reconstructions to present the story of Freddie Foreman. Presented in the twilight of his life, Foreman candidly shares his remembrances, views on his life's choices, and the wisdom (or lack thereof) he's accrued over several decades involved in organized crime.

Freddie Foreman, venerably known as 'Fred', is a living paradox to the term 'gentleman gangster.' He comes across as both a charming, nostalgic old man and a brutal career criminal capable of extreme violence. At times, Foreman appears to be almost venerable, imparting pearls of wisdom about loyalty, respect, and honor – all the strong 'old school' values. Simultaneously, there's the discomforting underlying reality of a man who dealt in violence and intimidation throughout his life, carrying out ruthless acts in the name of those very values.

Within the film’s narrative, Freddie is positioned as something of a Last of the Mohicans, a relic from a bygone era of East End gangland activity. The 'Kray Twins', Reggie and Ronnie, heavily feature within the narrative due to their professional relationship and shared infamy with Foreman. These men were part of a code-bound, fiercely loyal world that appears to echo far beyond the London of the swinging sixties, into a realm of pure myth and legend.

The film adroitly looks into the family dynamics that influenced Freddie’s choice of career and his particular approach to the 'family business.' Freddie's relationship with his sons, who were drawn into his violent life, paints a poignant picture of the man under the hard-man exterior. Particularly, his son Jamie Foreman, a well-known actor, provides honest and sometimes heartbreaking reflections on his father and experiences growing up with such a figure.

At multiple points during Fred, the audience is made to question their feelings about Freddie. The charm oozes off him in waves, making it easy to see why and how people were drawn into his world. However, the brutal deeds are not underplayed or romanticized, making viewers flinch and challenging their initial impressions. It's a constant dance throughout the film, seeing this charismatic older man then hearing about the brutalities he has committed.

Fred provides an insight into the criminal evolution in London, charting the rise and fall of the notorious firm and the shifting sands of power and influence within the crime genre. It presents an intimate and candid portrayal of a man living with a violent past who must come to terms with his actions, the impact on his family, and the changing society around him.

The film also includes intimate accounts from Foreman's closest friends and family, which provide a more rounded perspective on the man. However, the film does not attempt to overly humanize Foreman or justify his actions, which lends it an authenticity, straying from the oft-followed path of glorifying or romanticising figures like Foreman. This provides a realistic counter-narrative to various pop-culture portrayals of the London Underworld.

Overall, in this epic tale of power, ambition, betrayal, and redemption, Fred is a must-watch for true crime aficionados. It certainly gives a thought-provoking and sobering look into Fred’s life and organized crime in London. It indeed does justice to its attempt at capturing the complex contradictions that make this charismatic, fear-inducing man tick, all the while placing him in the broader context of a changing society. Fred is raw, genuine, and gripping, offering plenty to satisfy lovers of gritty, real-life crime stories.