The Gentlemen 

Dir: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant.

(Two stars)

Guy Ritchie returns with The Gentlemen, a film he has both written and directed. Developed from a a story by Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies, and Ritchie himself, the film is styled as a classic Ritchie gangster tale with a twist. 

The film follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who has created a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he is looking to cash out his business, it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him. 

So far it sounds like typical Ritchie. You’ve got your A-list American in McConaughey in the lead role, a particular branch of the London underworld is laid bare and there’s enough cinematic twists and turns to build your own rabbit warren. 

As far as the acting goes, McConaughey is charismatic and has enough gravitas to do a role like this in his sleep. Hugh Grant camps it up as a particularly weasel like villain and there’s ample support from Colin Farrell and a tough talking Michelle Docker. 

While all the hallmarks of what should be a top-drawer Ritchie film are there, the film defies itself and falls flat. It’s twenty minutes too long, too convoluted for it’s own good and by the time the final credits rolls this reviewer was left with little empathy or care for any of the characters. 

The plot meanders, Ritchie repeats his past triumphs to lesser degrees with every outing. 

Underwhelming, possibly caught up with being too clever for it’s own good … this bird simply doesn’t fly. 

Mitchell Peters