An Old Story Given New Life
From acclaimed director Guy Ritchie, The Gentlemen made its debut on Netflix in a breathtaking spectacle. Ritchie had always been known for gritty, cinematic masterpieces, and his foire to the small screen did nothing to diminish his excellent directorial prowess. Though his movie "Snatch" was the first to get the TV screen treatment, Ritchie helmed his creation himself and expanded The Gentlemen's narrative with the help of the biggest name in video streaming service Netflix. The Gentlemen movie precedes its series counterpart, being released in 2019, and has no involvement in its overall story line and characters yet has the same tone and overall build-up to its successor's narrative. Apart from that, the series in itself is a remarkable achievement in episodical storytelling, making it a must-watch for any viewer looking for an action-packed yet quirky crime drama.
With all the formalities and accolades of the series done, and after binge-watching the series in one go, I find myself enjoying every last bit of episode The Gentlemen had to offer for its 8 episode first season. Much to my dismay, I quickly realized I'd consumed too much of a good thing all at once and have now rendered myself inconsolable, driven to a corner, waiting for the next season to arrive. The entirety of the series was a fun and thrilling watch, so much so that I've got a strange feeling I've watched this story before, albeit told in a more mafioso-like setting. Finally, it grasped me like a piano wire around the neck; The Godfather, directed by the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
Like a doppelganger lurking in the shadows, The Gentlemen was not an exact copy of the mafia masterpiece, but more of an homage to its enduring legacy about family, responsibility, and the world of large-scale crime syndicates. The story in of itself reflects Michael Corleone's line in Godfather part 3; Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. There are differences, however, but I will be focusing on the similarities for now to give you an outlook on The Gentlemen's impact on modern serialized shows today.
Starting with our lead character, a soldier coming back from duty is thrust into a new life when he inherits his father's business and has now become a key player in building a criminal empire. His older brother was stepped aside and has become unreliable at most, and deviously vengeful at worst. In the end, our protagonist will overcome betrayal, deception, and treachery, which will make him come out on top.
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| Edward 'Eddie' Horniman, played by Theo James, in The Gentlemen Season 1 on Netflix |
For those of you in the know, the bit up there was a small condensation of the story line for The Gentlemen. But, it can also be true if I said that this is also the narrative for The Godfather. That is how interchangeable these two are, and I can assure you that it is of utmost compliment to the latter. Why recreate a wheel when you have a perfectly good one working? Borrowed plots aside, The Gentlemen is more of a character-driven series, sprinkling in some quirky interactions and fairly unmitigated plot twists, the series is a great example of what Guy Ritchie can do behind the camera. The Gentlemen is a modern retelling of an old classic, and no truer words can be spoken for that fact.
In all honesty and transparency, I've grown up watching Guy Ritchie films. My introduction to his work came along in a small but explosive film called "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" in the late 90's. During that time, it was either a Ritchie film or a Quentin Tarantino one that drove me to the movie theater. After a few decades, it seems to me that Guy Ritchie has only excelled in his craft. A bit of a reminder to everyone, Ritchie made an absolute gangster heist film called Snatch, and he also made Disney's wonderfully crafted remake of Aladdin. With an artistic range of that magnitude, it's no wonder Netflix's The Gentlemen is off to a good start.
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| Sussie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario, inside a shady warehouse with Eddie Horniman, played by Theo James. |
Friends make Enemies; Enemies make Friends
Edward Horniman, the second son of the Duke of Halstead and a former UN-appointed officer, comes home to find he had inherited his recently deceased father's title, ousting his older brother Freddie in the process. Though the royally decreed title bears no weight or considerable stipend, Eddie finds out where his father's fortune is coming from; A hidden marijuana plantation underneath their aristocratic estate governed by the Glass syndicate and headed by its mafioso princess Sussie Glass. The newly appointed Duke, with the support of his family and other disreputable colleagues, tries to bring their family back into prominence by ridding themselves of their criminal ties, and figuring out how to remove the weed enterprise growing beneath their feet. What follows is a series of misadventures that further solidifies Eddie's role as a leader in both his aristocratic duties, as well as a ruthless general, helping the Glass Family in exchange for cutting ties to their organization.
The overall method of Ritchie in bringing in the old staple theme of family and tradition is intricately weaved with the scrupulous lifestyle of a criminal underworld. For me, it is quite integral in the dichotomy of pursuing both lifestyles and shining a light that both sides reflect. The reality is that aristocracy can sometimes be ruthless and disgusting, and that criminality may sometimes excel in matters of loyalty and family. Bringing these two worlds together complimented the overall narrative and provided the perfect mix for a storyline worthy of watching.
Eddie and Sussie are both painted as two sides of the same coin. Like a Shakespearean tale, they represent two households, both alike in dignity. Both leaders of their own house who end up Inheriting their fathers' businesses and must do everything they can to either survive and dominate in the jungle, or be caged and domesticated inside a zoo. Both characters creatively define what it needs to become a leader in a world full of sheep. Though other predators are lurking about in their small, secluded haven, both Eddie and Sussie would have to work together and deviously navigate through murky waters to find out what's in store for them on the other side.
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| A gang of gypsies ready to pounce on the recently appointed Duke of Halstead, Eddie Horniman. |
A Motley Crew of Excellence
Bringing together a good cast can be troublesome, but assembling a wide range of excellent actors is by no means a small feat on its own. The cast for The Gentlemen is a perfect ensemble of veteran actors and rising stars that gives weight to each of their scenes. Though some stars do outshine others, their perfectly blended dialogues and interactions make every scene a juicy morsel to savor. Whether it's intense stare-downs or hilarious jinxes, each character gives life to their performance and dialogue.
Theo James, known for his role as Four in the Divergent series, takes up the mantle as the lead in this series. His portrayal of a hardened combatant plunging into the dark and seedy underbelly of the UK's criminal world as an aristocrat needs its well-deserved praise. Theo has that royal-descendant look the series is portraying, and even more so is his demeanor while he crosses his personal threshold into becoming a criminal. As Edward 'Eddie' Horniman, Theo's stoic behavior as he progresses his journey into becoming a figurehead in the underworld compliments the narrative quite well.
Kaya Scodelario's elegance yet subtle imitation of a cartel princess brings forth her natural beauty as an actress. Her smooth demeanor in navigating through conversations and deceitful plots against her family is quite notable and perfectly balances her performance. Though as another alumnus from a young-adult novel genre, Kaya continues to transcend her craft, noticeably stripping out her youthful charm and exchanging it for a femme-fatale persona.
Though minimal in screen time, both Giancarlo Esposito and Ray Winstone's bravado truly break through as seasoned actors. Esposito's portrayal of Stanley Johnston, with a 'T', has the nuanced 'Gus Fring' treatment, derivative of his most notable role as a well-refined criminal mastermind from Breaking Bad. Ray Winstone, a long-standing figure in British cinema and a staple in gangster films, made his first Ritchie film debut and did not disappoint. Vinnie Jones, a recurring actor in most Guy Ritchie films, portrays a more subtle and empathetic character filled with love and loyalty, a much more contrasting character personality from the ones he usually acts.
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| Sussie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario, making deals to further her family's criminal empire. |
The Good, The Bad, and The Ritchie
The dark underworld of the illegal drug business is truly front and center as the story is concerned. Though getting a glimpse of a lordly household is one and done in most British dramas, The Gentlemen's more realistic approach to its debt-filled lifestyle gives it a more altruistic look. Netflix's The Gentlemen can be acknowledged as a movie divided into eight parts. Its cinematography and editing make it hard to believe its content is made to be consumed on a streaming platform. Nevertheless, The Gentlemen is definitely a great ride to hop on to if you haven't started to jump on the bandwagon of praise.
Few things can be said to negatively impact its quality as a series. Few characters do not get enough screen time, and story lines do not get a proper sendoff. Though none of it digs deep in comparison to its overall arc in the main story. The episodes are well-paced and each of the main characters is given ample amount of time to shine and deliver an excellent performance.
Overall, The Gentlemen is one of 2024's success stories in the streaming landscape and hopefully, the next season gets up and running. The narrative is superb and the directing is spot-on. Out of the gate, you will instantly be consumed and will definitely be captivated by another whirlwind drama brought by the creative mind of Guy Ritchie.
