The Gentlemen Review
The first guest reviewer from AKLO!
Wearing multiple hats as director, writer and producer, this film signified a return to form for Guy Ritchie in what he does best in a film that delivers action, humour and plenty of colourful language. Despite finding monumental success with the blockbuster Aladdin, Ritchie decided to revisit his roots and step back into the grittier world of crime to deliver one of the most fun cinema experiences I have encountered in a while.
The film follows Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who has built a highly successful marijuana empire for himself but is now looking to retire and sell off the business. This sets off a series of plots, schemes, blackmail and backstabbing from those looking to steal his business out from under him.
The cast is stellar, featuring the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Henry Golding and more. Everybody delivers in their roles, with Hugh Grant, especially standing out as the comic relief who also helps to tie the plot together as the narrator/ private investigator who is privy to all the gangsters secrets. He and Charlie Hunnam play off nicely against each other, producing some of the funniest scenes in the movie. It was also nice to see Henry Golding step out of his comfort zone and take on the role of the villain in the story, which he does to surprising effect.
Ritchie, as director is back on his game, delivering a stylish yet violent affair. The film never takes itself too seriously producing many of laugh out loud moments. The pace is frantic throughout and the characters are gloriously over the top. The film is not without its drawbacks, however, with the plot becoming more convoluted as time goes on. The complex web of alliances and betrayals becomes hard to follow and there is probably two or three plot twists too many.
The film is hardly ground-breaking in nature or approach but if you are looking for an action-packed, fun adventure and you are a fan of Ritchie’ s earlier work such as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrells” and “Snatch” then this film is definitely for you.