Guy Ritchie’s latest film demonstrates that in this time of diversity and unique perspectives, stereotypes and male dominated films can still be churned out like clockwork. The narrative technique is fairly entertaining and enjoyable with Hugh Grant as the orchestrator of the whole affair and the self-referencing is quite a modern take. It is refreshing to see Grant outside of his usual bumbling rom-com staple.
However, many of the jokes and characters are unnecessarily racially based. It shows an ignorance or dragging of feet in what could be a chance to give the likes of Henry Golding and Bugzy Malone a real opportunity to show off their skills. In a year when the real world is striving for real change, this film feels as though nothing ever will. The jokes fall flat if you actually look even the slightest bit into them because they are just so reliant on outdated stereotypes.
A hefty cast of big-name actors (Charlie Hunnam, Matthew McConaughy) does not distract from Michelle Dockery’s ability to hold her own, although her character still ends up in a typical submissive female position. An unnecessarily high swear word count masks any kind of clever dialogue in a gangster film that is still made for the 20th century it seems. It relies on the shock of violence, brutality and foul language to create characters rather than any kind of emotional depth.
‘The Gentlemen’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Pep Reviews 