The Gentlemen.Deconstructed.

Writer Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast: Mathew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant and Colin Farrell.

Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes.

A film called The Gentlemen. Written and directed by Guy Ritchie. Starring Mathew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, Hugh Grant and Eddie Marsan. Really, it’s a no brainer.

It’s a pity I could not watch this gem of a film in a theater. Thanks to the quarantine, I managed to get a hold of it and it made my day.

The Gentlemen belongs to the genre of action-dark humor-crime which Guy Ritchie has made his own to say the least. After Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels, Snatch, Revolver and RocknRolla, this movie fits perfectly into that entertaining as hell of a genre mastered by Guy Ritchie.

The Gentlemen has a simple premise. It’s about a genius sophisticated drug lord (Mathew McC) wanting to get out of the drug business by selling his assets to another genius sophisticated drug lord (Jeremy Strong) at a fair price. The events starting from the first meeting to the final meeting through the deal forms the basis of the movie. And boy oh boy, Guy Ritchie sure layered this simple premise with delicious twists, foolhardy and morally racist characters and a meandering flow. The narrative keeps shifting from one interesting character to another equally interesting character and it is so much fun to watch. The viewer is left wanting more with every passing scene.

I have always believed that the characters are the mainstay of any premise. And with The Gentlemen, my belief just grew stronger. It is Guy Ritchie’s wizardry to create characters which are morally flawed, well dressed, extremely funny, dim witted and equally menacing. The ensemble in this film is a combination of all the above attributes and the screenplay turns out to be freakishly awesome. It is entertaining to the hilt.

For the uninitiated, Guy Ritchie’s school of cinema involves London, English humour, drugs, an unorthodox ensemble, good wardrobe and confusion. If you have not watched any of his films, The Gentlemen is a great film to initiate.

Apart from an unorthodox ensemble which forms the fun aspect of the film, it’s good to see the action unfold all across old school London. The cobbled streets, the London taxi, fabulous English wardrobe and of course, pubs and pints are in galore (We are slyly introduced to Guy Rtchie’s own brewing company; Gritchie, and also to the pub he owns with David Beckham; Lore of the Land). The performances of the ensemble are sharp to say the least. It’s a treat to watch Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) in a different role than what is expected of him. Colin Farrell shines on as always with his awkward expressions, a catchy Irish accent and weird tracksuits. Lastly, Mathew McC is on point as usual, and the camaraderie portrayed by Hugh Grant and Charlie Hunnam is very fresh and entertaining. This is Guy Ritchie at his very best. It’s really an exemplary talent he possesses; to write the way he does.

Like all his other movies, Ritchie makes sure that there is an element of sophistication throughout the screenplay. Highlighted by comic moments and a very catchy background score, the tension in the film is intact throughout. Somehow (And I have no qualms admitting this), you will end up rooting for the protagonist who is up to no good. Guy Ritchie does not have GOOD hearted characters in his films. All his characters are just bad, very bad or worse. And when you look at it that way, bad is way better than very bad or worse. Hat’s off to Guy Ritchie.

Ultimately, the action unfolds. The sophistication is intact. The worse get what they deserve. And the end is poetic as ever. There is a certain aura of suspense to the obvious throughout the runtime and the climax is a big example of this. The end is neat and sweet. We are back where we started. The deal is back on the table. All that drama accentuated by amazing and cheesy dialogue.

Like Mathew McC says vividly “There is only one rule in this jungle. If you wish to be the king of the jungle, it’s not enough to act like a king. You must be the king.”

Guy Ritchie at his very best. Don’t miss this joyride.

Deconstruct meter: 8/10