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| Michael Shannon in June release The Iceman |
The crime genre is one in which cliches thrive. These distinct conventions differentiate crime films from regular action or drama. These films are typically presented from either the perspective of the law or the mob. The protagonist is either an immigrant to the city, the new kid on the block, who we follow as he rises through the ranks (Scarface) , or a detective working undercover (Donnie Brasco), or in full view (The Untouchables), against a leading gangster in the business.
Characters that appear regularly in crime films are the mob boss, to whom family and loyalty are extremely important, who is either calm and collected (The Godfather) or just plain mad. Blundering bank-robbers (Killing Them Softly) tend to feature, while the hardcore psychopath who takes himself seriously tends to curse alot and takes sadistic pleasure in torturing their enemies (Reservoir Dogs).
Film Noir (L.A. Confidential) is a classic sub-genre of crime. Typically set in early 20th century Los Angeles or New York, noir explores the stylistic and alluring side to the dark underbelly of the gangster world. Heist films (Ocean's Eleven) are a very popular example of crime, however in this case the protagonists are typically much more likable than those found in the classic films that revolve around the mob, and they tend to stay away from extreme sex and violence.