ReelBob: ‘The Gentlemen’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

Though “The Gentlemen” may be about hardened criminals who are not afraid of spilling blood, dealing drugs or blackmailing people, it is a delightful and fun movie with a wry sense of humor.

The movie, directed by Guy Ritchie — who also contributed to the script — is a brash and quick-witted gangster flick in the mode of some earlier Ritchie features such as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.”

The movie also has an early Quentin Tarantino-esque vibe to it, especially in the one-on-one dialogue sequences that are rife with pop-culture observations and movie references.

And that dialogue was delivered by a first-rate, heavyweight ensemble cast, featuring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Jeremy Strong and Eddie Marsan.

McConaughey plays Michael Pearson, an American expatriate who has built a very profitable marijuana empire in London.

Pearson wants to sell his business, settle down and become a gentleman. His decision causes ripples that lead to rip-offs, killings and double-crosses.

Wanting to buy Pearson’s business is Matthew (Strong), an upper-class, self-entitled Englishman.

Soon, as word gets around that Pearson wants out, others crawl out of the woodwork to try muscling Pearson into selling to them — and at cut-rate prices.

Among them is Chinese gangster Dry Eye (Golding), a cocky young man who underestimates Pearson.

Ritchie has created a very cinematic tale, a point he emphasizes from the outset.

The story is told in flashback to Raymond (Hunnam), Pearson’s right-hand man, by Fletcher (Grant), a shady journalist who has records and photos of all the major players that he threatens to give Dave (Marsan), his editor, who hates Pearson.

Fletcher has created a script-like dossier, which he continually uses and refers to in an attempt to extort 20 million British pounds from Pearson.

“The Gentlemen” is a rather odd vehicle. The vast majority — hell, basically all of the characters — are despicable in one way or another, yet they also are charismatic and likable.

You actually come to care about most of them and accept, while not condoning, some of their actions.

The film has an appealing swagger that dares you not to like it. And the script’s ability to bring cohesion to a group of disparate characters also helps its cause.

Not helping is the casual racism toward the Chinese mobsters. It is rather off-putting and seems at odds with the rest of the movie.

McConaughey brings a cool confidence to his Pearson, while Hunnam’s Raymond provides a coiled persona that can lash out at any moment. Golding’s Dry Eye is an overconfident and swaggering punk, while Strong’s Matthew is a snakelike and sneaky dilettante playing at being a gangster.

Also, worth noting is Farrell’s Coach. He’s a common sense, middle-aged man who runs a gym, but is not above breaking the law to help his “toddlers,” as he calls his young students.

“The Gentlemen” is very enjoyable. Though the movie is violent, no cringe-worthy moments appear. Many last-second cuts to other sequences minimize the viciousness.

The movie offers enough sizzle to keep you warm during these cold times.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

THE GENTLEMEN
3 stars out of 4
(R), violence, language, sexual references, drug use