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movie review - The Gentlemen

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2020.02.22

This is a gangster film from the United Kingdom, cleverly told as recounting of a movie plot being pitched by somebody knee-deep in the story himself. It's about a long-time drug dealer who's made it to the top and has stayed there through ruthless violence. He's now trying to sell up and clear out, which attracts unwanted attention and sets a bloody course of action.

This movie's made by the same fellow who made "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels", "Snatch", and others, and I'm happy to report that while similar in themes and characters and dialog it's clever without being too clever and it genuinely works. He's dialed back the style and up the substance and it's a good thing.

Strongly recommended.

rand()m quote

There's nothing more difficult to handle, more doubtful of success and more dangerous to carry through than initiating change.

—Niccolo Machiavelli