The Gentlemen
Introduction
Guy Ritchie has been one of my favorite directors, ever. Other than a few misfires (Aladdin,) he has usually been on point. And he’s never been more at home in any other genre, than crime-comedy. For those who have seen Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and Snatch (among others) will testify for that. Ritchie makes his long form debut with The Gentlemen, which is loosely inspired by his own 2019 movie, of the same name. It’s a different kind of experimentation, where we can clearly see if a concept works better as a movie or a series. So, what results does it yield? Read on.
Story & Screenplay
Eddie (Theo James) is reluctantly thrust into the world of crime via his father’s estate, and will that ties him to it. He has an elder brother Freddie (Daniel Ings) who has a gambling and coke problem and (naturally) owes some very bad men, a lot of money. It just so happens that Eddie ALSO has a farm of marijuana and a thriving business, which he looks to sell off, in order to save his brother from the blushes. It’s easier said than done, however, as deals (and double deals) go awry, things get messy, and characters drop dead before you can say the word ‘dead’. To reveal anything more at this point would be to give away major plot spoilers, but it’s safe to say, that it’s one bumpy ride, and pleasantly so. Sure, the plot twists don’t always make sense, but they sure make for an amazing watch. As more and more characters get connected to plot, it becomes even more murkier and twisted. Susie (Kaya Scodelario in a powerful turn), the daughter of the estranged drug lord who runs the marijuana empire, has her own ideas. Then there’s the mysterious American ‘businessman’ Stanley Johnston (a reliable Giancarlo Esposito) who wants to buy out the business, and you have a delicious recipe for mayhem. The screenplay has the usual Ritchie chaos, but unfortunately lacks logic. There are plot holes, upon plot holes which pile up really fast. However, the show’s screenplay is consistently engaging, and keeps the viewers on the edge. This is one of those quintessential shows where you’re just supposed to go along the ride, without questioning too much.
Direction
I was wondering if the Guy Ritchie style of comical, violent, chaos would suit long form storytelling, and unfortunately, my fears were right. The Gentlemen is a watered down version of the 2019 film, which, despite its flaws, was helped by a sheer star power and shorter runtime. Which is not say that The Gentlemen is not a show worth watching. It definitely has its moments, especially in the final few episodes. But Ritchie visibly struggles with the pacing of the show, and scenes appear either too slow, or too rushed. The character work is still a strength of Ritchie, though, and the veteran director doesn’t miss a beat in producing delicious dark comedy moments.
Performances
Theo James starts off bright and charismatic, but the under written nature of his character makes him boring. Kaya Scodelario is the star of the show, bringing a vixen like energy to a testorone fuelled show. Ritchie loyalist Vinnie James is delightful as the quirky yet subdued man of action. Giancarlo Esposito is his usual composed self, with shades of his Breaking Bad performance. Daniel Ings as Freddy shines through, especially in the comic sequences. This is a star making turn for him (watch out for his chicken suit scene). Ray Winstone is reliable (and messy) as always. The acting is one of the strong suites of the show.
Conclusion
The Gentlemen is a decent one time watch if you are a fan of the Guy Ritchie template. However, it is a step down from the 2019 movie of the same name, which I would recommend over this show. Now steaming on Netflix.