Monday Mayhem: The Gentlemen - Guy Ritchie’s stylish portrait of the dark underbelly of London

In our weekly series, Monday Mayhem, we recommend fast-paced Hollywood action films

Guy Ritchie is one of the most renowned British filmmakers today, delivering some iconic films such as Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and RockNRolla. He has also helmed successful big-budget productions such as Sherlock Holmes and Aladdin. However, it has been a mixed bag when it comes to other major productions after relatively lukewarm receptions for King Arthur and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The same could be said about The Gentlemen which went under the radar when it hit theatres in 2019.

The Gentlemen in many ways is Guy Ritchie’s return to familiar territory — British crime drama with plenty of dark comedy. But unlike his previous hits such as RockNRolla and Snatch, there is a distinctive art style that is a departure from Ritchie’s usual aesthetic. The cinematography is more visually vibrant, possibly to signify the multicultural story of the film — highlighting the change in the landscape of organised crime in London. The choice of cast is also intriguing, Matthew McConaughey as the American gangster in London is equally surprising and an obvious one at the same time. McConaughey is the quintessential American actor one would find, and there is something cathartic about McConaughey playing an English/American mobster named Mickey Pearson.

The narrative is non-linear and there is plenty of exposition by Hugh Grant’s character Fletcher, a private investigator, who is playing his own game of 3D chess with mob deals. Grant essays a very unique role in the film as a Londoner with a cockney accent, a far cry from his polished accent often seen in rom-coms. One would imagine Grant playing this role would be a jarring experience, but he slips into the character with ease and aplomb. The film’s most integral character, however, despite not being credited as the lead, is Charlie Hunnam's Ray. As Pearson’s right-hand man Ray is involved in almost every aspect of Pearson’s business and is also responsible for resolving new problems that have come up after Pearson decides to get out of the drug business. Hunnam, who is popular for essaying the lead as Jax Teller in the hit TV series Sons of Anarchy, plays a different kind of a gangster. 

The story soon gathers pace as new characters come into the mix with their own vested interests creating absolute chaos. The film’s non-linear narrative structure adds frantic pace and it is Ritchie’s idea of keeping the audience guessing through the entirety of its runtime. Despite being touted as an action crime drama, the action is limited to only when absolutely necessary. But when it does appear, especially in the third act of the film, it is perfectly executed with palpable gun fights. The story also features plenty of twists and turns with several bluffs and double bluffs that leave the audience on the edge of their seats.

The film’s overall style is quite obviously its stellar quality, but it has also done a fairly decent attempt at delving into the ever-changing socio-economic fabric of London, albeit ever so subtly. McConaughey, Grant, and Hunnam excel in their respective roles, aided by an excellent ensemble featuring Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, and Colin Farrell. Each character is vital to the story's overall plot with the actors delivering stunning performances in the film. The film may not be Ritchie's all-time best it most certainly boasts his unique style and gripping storylines and is certainly one of the more underappreciated crime-dramas in recent years. 

You can watch The Gentlemen here.