The Gentlemen Movie Review

‘The Gentlemen’ is a brilliant ensemble-caper film. It’s masterfully crafted, extremely entertaining, and first-rate fun.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. What more would you need from a movie than what I just described? There are a few areas where it could be improved, but not so many as to warrant some of the low scores I’ve been seeing. If you’ve enjoyed Guy Ritchie’s movies in the past, then I offer that you’ll love this narrative as much as ‘Snatch.’ It’s that good. Ritchie chose to tell the story using lengthy dialogue twisted up in the non-linear style, so it does get a bit tedious, may even get confusing to some. Regardless, it’s filthy with colorful, amusing personalities, managing to capture a sort of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ feeling while throwing ‘Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels’ into the mix, as well. Having written and directed the film, Ritchie is back at doing what he does best instead of being hired to make a studio film.

By giving you death and then an introduction by Fletcher (Grant), the opening scene seizes you right away. Fletcher starts by telling us the story of how a Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) began his life of crime. The intro draws you to Mickey but also suggests you have empathy for Fletcher. By the time the story is going full tilt, you’ll be rooting for everyone. Eventually, you’ll figure out who the bad guys are… or will you? This cast is magnificent. The actors achieve that goal of uncertainty by meeting precisely what their director was going for. Since he assembled such a remarkable cast, capable of anything, Ritchie was able to weave together and sell a story that channels one theory to the audience. At the same time, he’s leading you to something completely different. ‘The Gentlemen’ is constructed skillfully and not to be missed. The script is the exemplary crime syndicate film but not banal. It’s filled with jokes (try not to get offended, they’re JOKES!), it’s razor-sharp, and as we meet the characters of the London underworld, that Mickey has been involved with, it gets even edgier and more violent.

I loved the score, and thank you, Guy Ritchie, for putting Hugh Grant in something other than the romantic lead. Let’s face it; he’s looking more like an older Al Pacino these days, so instead of putting this finely tuned actor out to pasture, let’s use his skills for what they’re most gifted toward; that’s being droll and haughty. Ritchie nails that here. Each actor in the cast has their own crazy storyline. I’ll not get into all of them with you but will mention that Colin Farrell stands out as the most comedy laden.

As a whole, you shouldn’t be disappointed by anything except its length. Can we stop making movies that numb the bum?!?! The film is dapper and chic, it’s witty, and the evolution of the plot works to please an audience that doesn’t get a lot of originality in films these days. However, don’t let your ADD kick in. Concentrate, and you’ll be fine.​

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