Movie Thoughts: The Gentlemen

Guy Ritchie should never make any movies that aren’t violent dark comedies about the British criminal underworld. This movie does the same thing as Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels — it sets up a web of money and weapons and criminal activities and economic incentives and then sends you through it. Set-up and payoff is always worth the price of admission in a Guy Ritchie movie (like this). That said, The Gentlemen is no Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but it’s a good watch.

Ritchie’s dialogue is so much fun. He’s almost like a British counterpart to Tarantino. I’m sure someone smarter than me has already said that, and probably decades ago, but it occurred to me while watching The Gentlemen, so I’ll say it here.

All the actors play their parts and earn their money. Charlie Hunnam does what needs to be done. Henry Golding is unremarkable. The script attempts to distinguish Michelle Dockery as something other than the sassy trophy wife who takes no shit and sticks up for the ladies but when all’s said and done she’s pretty much just another usual trope. McConaughey is a real good lead lion here. Colin Farrell has a ball as usual. Jeremy Strong is the only one who can’t seem to strike a consistent rhythm. Hugh Grant is the slimy, charming version of Hugh Grant (as opposed to just charming), and he’s given the most Ritchie dialogue to spit.

Overall, a satisfying watch if you’re a fan of the Ritchie brand.

3.5/5