With January being known as a month for cinematic duds, The Gentlemen is a bright spot that stands out among its peers. Compared to Oscar contenders and franchise reboots this isn't much of a competition; but here Guy Ritchie has given us a film that is truly outstanding.
The film follows drug lord Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) as he tries to sell his extremely profitable business. However, this becomes increasingly difficult as he runs into a series of setbacks. The story is full of twists and turns, as the majority of it takes place in a series of flashbacks. In the present, Pearson's employee Ray (Charlie Hunnam) talks with the conniving investigator Fletcher (Hugh Grant), who has dug up information on Pearson for a tabloid news editor. Using the information to try to blackmail Ray and his boss, the story he tells slowly unveils who is plotting to reduce the value of Pearson's business.
The flashback nature of the storytelling creates a lot of excitement. Just when you think you know how things will unfold, Fletcher reveals something that surprises you. And Fletcher is himself a surprising character. He's cunning, flamboyant, and slightly creepy. Hugh Grant holds absolutely nothing back in his performance and even in a cast that performs so well as a whole he is one of the most memorable aspects of the film. As the narrator he also adds a good amount of unpredictability to the story, sometimes distorting events to make them more action-packed than they really were.
Excellent cast performances, an engaging and surprising story that's cleverly told, and a wonderful combination of action and comedy. The Gentlemen has everything that a thoroughly enjoyable crime film needs.
