Feeling insecure in your masculinity? Need a shot of testosterone in the form of guns, drugs and beautiful women? This one’s for you.
“The Gentlemen” is director Guy Ritchie’s latest attempt at a mind-blowing, reality-shattering “whodunit” thriller.
But like his other attempts at the same concept, the movie falls flat but can still be an enjoyable romp with some genuinely hilarious moments and great action.
The revered Matthew McConaughey stars as Mickey Pearson, an American expat who owns the largest illegal marijuana operation in the United Kingdom.
Wanting to leave that lifestyle behind to spend more time with his wife, he agrees to sell the business to American billionaire Matthew Berger, played by Jeremy Strong. But after one of Pearson’s “farms” are broken into, everything goes awry.
Other characters are brought in including Pearson’s right-hand man Raymond, played by Charlie Hunnam.
The story is told through a colorful and ridiculous conversation between Raymond and a drunk, obnoxious private eye named Fletcher, played by Hugh Grant.
The first 45 minutes of the film is pure setup, and it leaves the viewer questioning what is going on.
Once you get past the odd acting and confusing exposition, “The Gentlemen” turns into an enjoyable action flick.
There are some absolute laugh out loud moments and shocking twists and turns. But the problem is, the film tries so hard to be unpredictable that it actually becomes easy to figure out.
Raymond and Fletcher are an entertaining pair, but the storytelling is so unnecessarily complicated that it makes you wonder what the point is. If the story was told straightforward and chronologically, the plot would have been much easier to follow.
The thick and overacted cockney accent of Grant’s narration is nearly painful to listen to at times, even if his character offers some solid comic relief.
The acting is an issue throughout the one hour and 43-minute run time, even if it isn’t supposed to be taken super seriously.
McConaughey’s performance is about on par with his infamous Lincoln Motor Company advertisements. For a drug kingpin, Pearson is portrayed as shockingly boring and monotone.
It’s strange because Pearson is similar to other characters McConaughey has excelled at portraying, but for whatever reason, he is one dimensional in this one.
Strong’s attempt at playing a snide, shady billionaire is laughable. He gives easily the worst performance in a film chock-full of bad ones.
That isn’t to say that there wasn’t some stellar acting though.
The best performance without a doubt belongs to Colin Farrell as “Coach.” He is absolutely hilarious, and badass when he needs to be. He’s not in the film much, but when he is, it’s impossible to peel your eyes off him.
There is one thing that any viewer has to remind themselves of while watching the film – don’t take it too seriously.
It’s a flawed and overcomplicated film, but it’s still entertaining and fun. If you’re a fan of British humor and lots of blood, you’re in for a treat.
