The Gentlemen's Review: Clever tale of a flamboyant drug criminal

Guy Ritchie continuously hones his own particular English story-board brand of comedic fable. It regales some of the same themes: the criminal underbelly of society, racism, classicism, sexism (although technically it would pass the Bechdel test by a thread).

 

The Gentlemen is just a phu-a-kin (you will get this pun once you watch the movie) genius masterpiece from Guy Ritchie. A brilliant satirical crime drama that fuses elements of humor, crime, passion, and art and yet stays true to its core plot, "The Gentlemen" is a very exciting, intelligent, and fast-paced drama involving a very talented cast.

 

Plot

McConaughey, in classic McConaughey fashion, plays Mickey, as the owner of a large drug empire and the weed lord of England. Grant, in a somewhat unrecognizable performance, plays sleazy private detective Fletcher who has legit dirt on Mickey and wishes to sell it to the highest bidder. That particular bidder is Marsan as Big Dave, who manages to make Fletcher look like a choir boy. What follows are unpredictable twists, turns, double-crosses, and a lot of fatalities.

Cast:

Charlie Hunnam delivered a solid performance in this movie and might be his best. He plays Ray, Mickey’s (McConaughey) right-hand man who is professional when it comes to business despite the countless idiots in his path. Imagine Russell Bufalino from ‘The Irishman’, but more physical and incredibly British. His comedic timing was pretty good as well maybe if you give him the right material and character, he’s a better actor than I thought.

 

Colin Farrell was terrific as Coach and my second favorite out of the cast. He’s ridiculously cool and shows who’s boss, but also displays some comedic chops.

 

The brightest spotlight should be reserved for Hugh Grant, who obviously relishes his turn as a sleazeball gossip rag photographer turned blackmailer. Hugh Grant has said in interviews (the most memorable one being on the British chat show "The Graham Norton Show") that the fuel for his performance was his own very complicated history with the English paparazzi and boy, what a pay-off (pun intended). He is repulsive yet charming, endearing yet punchable, a snake in the grass that no amount of charming can disarm.

 

Watching The Gentlemen feels like going to your rich, kinda racist uncle’s house: Sure, his place looks nice, and he lets you play his PS4, but you’ll always be steeling yourself for the next time he says “colored” at the dinner table.

Overall, though, The Gentlemen is a fun enough ride. Thanks to its talented ensemble and witty script, the film manages to downplay its pacing issues. Despite not exploring the thematic depth that is possible from this screenplay, the film is nonetheless an entertaining enough time at the movies.