The Gentlemen - Film Review

by Emilia Ippolito

Guy Ritchie keeps surprising and delighting his audience with his brand new film The Gentlemen

Ritchie is keen - as ever - to be in charge not only of direction, but also of plot and script writing and a share of production. Whoever thinks that this might be a little too much should go see this movie to change their mind

The narrative flows like a perfectly paced and ‘harmonious’ clockwork, in which a master cast dances with each other indulging in unexpected numerous twists and table turnings

Charismatic American drug dealer Mickey Pearson /King of the Jungle (Matthew McConaughey) and his cockney queen Rose (Michelle Docherty) are a well established drug and car dealers in London. Since they decide to upgrade and sell their game calling for decadent country aristocrats looking for a source of income, they come across an American Jewish magnate Matthew (Jeremy Strong), whose dodgy illicit cannabis dealings will cost him both reputation and actual body flesh - with smart Shakespearean resonances - and with the young and inexperienced Chinese mafia gangster Dry Eye (Henry Golding), whose lack of sense will cost him his life.

Absolutely pivotal in plot, twists, excellent acting and use of irony are the King’s loyal assistant Raymond (Charlie Hunnam) and professional tabloid paparazzo Fletcher (Hugh Grant). Fletcher acts as narrator and main player, perfectly juggling gay tendencies and a natural attachment to money.

On the narrative fringe a few interesting little but meaningful occurrences: young and wealthy aristocratic drug addicts seem to be inevitably running either to their death for overdose or for non-respect of the real drug mafia scene : a ‘gentle’, wise message from Ritchie, certainly a follower of tabloid news and logics and underground life. We also see a Coach (Colin Farrell) trying to ‘educate’ a gang of future Street dealers and stabbers... with dramatic twists but hilarious lines

There are at least five unexpected twists - with a few gory sequences - and when the end comes, after 113 minutes, you will be tempted to give all of them a sincere applause. This movie will most certainly provide a few Bafta nominations for its brilliant plot and great male protagonist

 

Dir: Guy Ritchie.

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant.