The Gentlemen: British Humour with American Vibes

It’s apparent that this film does not pass the politically correct, Bechdel test. It’s all in the film’s title - The Gentlemen. However, the lone woman Michelle Dockery, thrives in the pack of a male-dominated, all-star studded ensemble cast. She is the method to the madness behind the story. It’s Hollywood. And typically any movie about a bunch of men has a gentlewoman that is not only the catalyst, but also the protoganist's (Matthew Mc) reason for coup d’etat. This film provided comic relief in the form of a who-dunnit thriller that keeps the viewer engaged with the plot.

Matthew McConaughey continues his career as a bad-ass. Think of his lead role in this film as a mash up of True Detective and Dallas Buyers Club. With an ace performance by Charlie Hunnam as Ray, I wouldn’t be surprised if this film heightens the bid for Hunnam as the next Bond actor since Daniel Craig’s last appearance comes out later this year. And with performances by Colin Farrel, James Wong, Chidi Ajufo, and Hugh Grant, the eye candy ensemble makes this 113-minute movie zoom by. Don’t be surprised if some of these background and supporting actors steal some screen time in 2021 either. Either Guy Ritchie has a command for directing or these actors simply know how to work a camera.

According to Mickey Pearson played by McConaughey, “when the lion is hungry, he eats.” Mickey P. is never afraid to get his own hands dirty, but relies on Ray (Hunnanm) as his trusted sidekick and fixer to help make a business proposition bloom into full fruition. However, with the British, Asian, and Russians all after Pearson, we quickly come to understand that to be a gentlemen in this world created by Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, and Marn Davies, to be a gentleman means to be a sophisticated gangster, a lion of sorts.

This movie is meta-filmmaking at its finest from the size of the screen changes, to the humorous storytelling by Hugh Grant’s character, you’ll be relieved you saw this film. There’s all sorts of inspiration going on. And it doesn’t spare you any laughs through puns of misunderstood names. The barrier across language in this film tickles the stomach with laughter. Just be sure you like British humor first. It takes an American a while to get used to. This is a film worth experiencing in theaters.