The Gentlemen

I can't say that I'm the biggest Guy Ritchie fan because I'm not particularly familiar with the majority of his filmography outside of franchise stuff like Sherlock Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., or the failed attempt at King Arthur. 

I've seen Snatch when I was probably too young and not in the mood for it, so I know that "British Gangster" films are what Ritchie started his career with and what made him a bigger name in Hollywood. 

As he sits with me, I've yet to see a bad film of his - most are just fine, but I'm not sure I've seen anything truly tremendous from him either. Even last year's Aladdin (which I eventually saw and actually liked quite a bit thanks in large part to Will Smith's genie) is part of this trend. 

As his newest film, The Gentlemen, begins, it's clear that Ritchie is back in his comfort zone but nothing in particular makes it all that special as the first 10, 20, even 30 minutes unfold. 

But the beauty in The Gentlemen is that if you stick with it, it continues to get progressively better and better. Going from okay > enjoyable > good > even great by the time it's all said and done. Given that this is a story partially written and wholly directed by Ritchie, I guess the kudos there goes to him, but ultimately I believe it's the willing cast that truly elevates this picture. 

The Gentlemen has a very unique way in which it tells its story through our kinda-sorta narrator, Fletcher (Hugh Grant), as he excitedly wizzes his way from one part of the story to the next as he reveals it to Ray (Charlie Hunnam). At first it's a bit disorienting, and like most aspects of the film, starts out rough but gets better over time, but it's Ritchie's style at play here and it eventually becomes a fun setup. The story is mostly around Micky Pearson (McConaughey) and his weed empire on the island of Great Britain. [Semi-related side note: it's an interesting time for weed in film because I've lived with "legal" weed for so long now (in Colorado) that I almost entirely forget its still highly illegal elsewhere in the world.] From here, the story remains entertaining, but fairly typical as far as crime/gangster films are concerned and the plot is never quite as smart as it thinks it is with a pair of twists near the end with one being insanely predictable and the other feeling a bit shoehorned in. 

Probably using the "c" word here

Can we get an entire film where Lincoln-car
commercial McConaughey is a crazed villain?

As I alluded, The Gentlemen, is as enjoyable as it is almost entirely due to its cast. And it's a cast that expands throughout and gets better throughout. McConaughey is a superstar as a reserved, but violent gangster Pearson and might actually be a top contender for best "villain" (kinda sorta) of the year. He gets several scenes that make you wish he'd play this role more often...kind of a mix between his Lincoln car commercial persona and a crazed violent side we've not seen from him. Hunnam gets a lot to do here and is almost the "leading" man with the amount of screentime he gets, continuously proving that even though his movies don't always take flight, he's a solid core actor. Colin Farrell comes in late but makes an impact with some fun laughs and general persona while Hugh Grant's character - somewhat annoying at first - nearly becomes the star of the show as he tells the story, reveals his motives, and "flirts" with Hunnam. Other cast members like Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, and Henry Golding get great moments too and this is one of those film examples where each individual feels perfectly cast and helps their written character truly come to life off the page. 

The Gentlemen is a film that grew on me but it's also one I don't have much more to write about. It works in large part because of its awesome cast and the manner in which it tells its story. It also gets progressively better and better as time goes on in almost every aspect. It's probably a little too long and never quite as smart or funny as I think it hopes to be, but after a rather dull opening 20 minutes or so, I was fully entertained. If you're a big fan of Ritchie's and glad that he's getting back into this genre after a considerable hiatus, it's likely that you'll enjoy The Gentlemen. 

CONS

• Little too long (or at least feels that way)
• Takes a little while to find its footing
• Not all the jokes land
• The twists are "meh"

PROS

• Manner in which the story is told becomes exciting and effective
• Enjoyable plot, even if it's not as smart as it thinks it is
• Truly elevated by its cast. McConaughey, Hunnam, Grant, and Farrell all get to shine
• Fun soundtrack
• Entertaining action when there is some and can be hilarious when it calls for it

Rath's Review Score | 7.5/10