The Gentlemen marks a return for writer/director Guy Ritchie to his Brit-crime caper-flick roots. And while it’s not quite a Snatch, The Gentlemen delivers a solid, rich, and entertaining (if dated) ride — not to mention that fans of natty dressing and crisp dialogue will find much to like.
(Just so we’re clear, I love this movie. I’ve seen it twice with ICEE in hand, and as I write this, I’m thinking I might well see it again. Maybe just as soon as this review goes live.)
True to form, Ritchie’s Britain here is an underworld of larger-than-life villains with catchy nicknames, respect, upsets, foot chases, euphemistic lingo, stylish outfits, Range Rovers, smash cuts, and twists. Put differently, little has changed — which might be good or bad, depending on your view. And for those who wondered how Guy Ritchie might update his classic formulae to meet our contemporary cinematic needs, here’s your answer: He hasn’t. Notwithstanding a nod to YouTube culture and the broad legalization of weed, The Gentlemen’s general mood, extra helping of dated racial quips, and lack of meaningful female characters keeps it decidedly in the naughty aughties (if not before).
But if you can weather this virtual drink to the face of our current cultural moment, there’s much here to enjoy.
The cast is damned strong. Matthew McConaughey clearly relishes playing Mickey, an American-born, Oxford-educated marijuana kingpin who hobnobs with the upper classes but who’s nearing the end of his reign; fellow American dandy Matthew (Jeremy Strong) waits in the wings. Meanwhile, a delightfully hammy Hugh Grant slums around as a dirt-digging private eye (for a good long run of screen time), interacting largely with Mickey’s right hand man — a mellow, refined, and sharply-dressed Charlie Hunnam. Colin Farell‘s “Coach” and Henry Golding as “Dry Eye” round out Guy Ritchie’s colorful character collection. Michelle Dockery is here too, and does a fine job as Mickey’s wife — though she’s not given too much to work with, audiences familiar chiefly with her Downton Abbey work will at least find something different here. The supporting cast includes Chidi Ajufo as Bunny (“incoming”), a group of rapper/fighters called “The Toddlers” (great music video! Great jumpsuits!) and Tom Wu as the very Penhaligon’s-sounding “Lord George.”
Fans of Ritchie’s know more or less what to expect in the plot department, and this film doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s typical Ritchie — with the obvious exception of McConaughey cutting through the Cockney-twinged tattle like a cold blue blade. He’s at home here, moving easily among the caricatures, but he’s never one of them. He’s a true pleasure to watch. (I must say, I’ve lately become more and more of a McConaughey fan. I mean, just compare his performances in The Wolf of Wall Street, Interstellar, True Detective, Dallas Buyer’s Club, The Lincoln Lawyer, Magic Mike, and — I’m going there — EDtv and U-571, not to mention Dazed and Confused. He’s quite something.)
I’m glad Ritchie has come home to do what he does best, leaving history to puzzle over his choice to helm Aladdin and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. (I didn’t mind The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and evidently neither did Ritchie — as he’s prominently featured a poster for that movie in this one.)
If you have a jones for Ritchie’s trademark opening titles, colorful underworld intrigue, a solid foot chase and some bespoke tailoring, check this one out. Now I’m out, to see it again.
Haus Verdict: Gives the cold shoulder to our cultural moment, but Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen is classic, colorful caper fun — and McConaughey is terrific.
The Gentlemen opened Friday, January 24.
Never miss a review — sign up for email updates to the right, follow us on Twitter, or like The Parsing Haus on Facebook!