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KPCW sends its most discerning moviegoers to the movies each week to let you know which films are worth going to and which are a pass. The Friday Film Review airs at 7:20 a.m., during the Noon News and in The Local View. KPCW Friday Film Reviewers are: Barb Bretz, Rick Brough, Mark Harrington and Linda Jager.

Friday Film Review--"The Gentlemen"

KPCW

This week’s Friday Film Review is from Libby Wadman.    She says that director Guy Ritchie, known for his off-beat convoluted crime movies, is back in top form.  

For all of you who love a complicated story told with humor and creativity, make a plan to get to the theaters to watch Guy Ritchie’s latest film, “The Gentlemen.”

“The Gentlemen” is the story of Mickey, an American expat living in England with his British wife. They are living the good life thanks to his incredibly high-tech pot farms; however, Mickey has decided to sell the business to a particular individual and move on with his wife and riches. All seems reasonable and straightforward  until other wannabe buyers get involved trying to take over the empire for themselves. Seems like a simple enough plot, but in the hands of Ritchie it is anything but. The simple plot explodes and expands into more double-crossing double crossers and schemes than you can shake a stick at.

Ritchie, who wrote and directed “The Gentlemen”, has stuck with the formula that works for him: a convoluted plot, incredible humor, and tons of twists and turns to keep you  on your toes. Despite many things being similar to his previous films, the story is new, fun and engaging. As screenwriter,  Ritchie has done a great job of intertwining multiple stories while maintaining their connections. As director, he never drops a beat, creating a very fast paced story and he knows just how to work his cast to get fine performances from just about everyone. The editing of the film also enhances and supports the quick snippet form of the storytelling.

The wonderful cast of characters is portrayed by some of the finest: Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Michelle Dockery, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant and a score of others. Each and every one is a delight to watch. The two standouts for me were Hugh Grant, as a shady character; a far cry from his typical romantic leading man, and Michelle Dockery, as a really tough as nails, independent woman who owns a car repair shop and whose personality is as spikey as her heels. It’s very hard to imagine this is the same actress who portrayed the genteel Lady Mary in “Downton Abbey.”

Now for the bad news, This is not a movie to snooze in or you’ll miss a key piece of the story. Good news, just trying to keep up with the events will keep you wide awake and give you a good mental, if not physical, workout at the same time.

The only real downside is the last part of the film. The story is very convoluted, and especially at the end, following all the threads as they are woven together, requires so much attention and thought on the part of the viewer, that it is very easy to miss the last few quick comments.

“The Gentlemen” is a rollicking rollercoaster ride that will have you hanging on for dear life. It is a truly enjoyable 1 hour and 53 minutes in length and is rated R for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content, but would you expect anything else from Guy Ritchie?

This is Libby Wadman with the Friday film review, reminding you that film is always fun and fascinating.

One of the Friday Film Review, reviewers.
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