If Quentin Tarantino is truly to retire after one more film, then who will film fans turn to for their specialized thrills? How about Guy Ritchie, who delivers a very Tarantino-esque crime comedy / drama and has carved a fairly solid career of such things. The Gentlemen is, for me, the most polished film Ritchie has yet delivered (that I have seen; I have not seen them all).

Guy Ritchie’s film centers on the plight of Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), an American marijuana dealer in England, who would like to retire and sell his very profitable business. He has a deal in place, but things suddenly turn sour and he must protect his investment and legacy. Interestingly, the tale is told by a third party, Fletcher (Hugh Grant, giving an outstanding performance), a journalist looking for a big score not to tell Mickey’s story.

Ritchie apes Tarantino by writing deep monologues for his amoral characters, especially Fletcher and Mickey’s right-hand man Ray (Charlie Hunnam), which result in fabulous aural moments. I also love that the film does not shy away from the nastier aspects of the business — and that of Dry Eye (Henry Golding), a heroin dealer who wants Mickey’s business for himself. As such, the film carries a powerful, dramatic undercurrent of what is really at stake. And though several people get whacked throughout the adventure, Ritchie refrains from the gore that is so prevalent in this type of film. It’s stylishly done rather than grossly done.

I quite enjoyed this film because it is clever and smart, ironic and fun, as well as dramatic and harrowing. Lots of filmmakers have experimented with this type of film, most notably Tarantino, Martin McDonagh and the Coen Brothers, but perhaps Guy Ritchie is best positioned to take up the mantle and crank some good ones out during the next few years. If this film is any indication, he’s becoming a master. ☆ ☆ ☆. 18 March 2020.