Uncovering 'The Gentlemen': Exploring the Peaks and Pitfalls of Guy Ritchie's Latest Series

The story behind “The Gentlemen” is possibly more intriguing than the show itself, as director Guy Ritchie transforms his 2020 movie into an eight-episode Netflix series. Despite Theo James' charming portrayal of the unexpected heir to a cannabis empire, the overall outcome moves quickly but lacks significant excitement.

Eddie, played by James, returns from serving in the British army to find out that his late father, the Duke of Halstead, has left him the family's vast estate, overlooking his shocked older brother, Freddy (Daniel Ings). The real twist unfolds when Eddie realizes that the estate has turned into a hub for criminal activities, leading him to confront the individuals involved, with Susie (Kaya Scodelario), the daughter of the reigning boss (Ray Winstone), serving as his main point of contact.

Eddie finds himself in many intense situations, dealing with violence and tense negotiations caused by his brother's foolish actions. He works hard to fix his brother's mistakes and break free from shady and quirky characters, resulting in darkly humorous encounters that make the show feel like a series of episodes.

Despite Ritchie's distinctive visual style, as seen in "The Wrath of Man" and the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr., accompanied by loud music, the show doesn't stand out much from other similar ones. It follows the common theme of regular people getting caught up in criminal activities, sometimes discovering unexpected strength and aspects of themselves.

Giancarlo Esposito plays another drug kingpin in "The Gentlemen."

Giancarlo Esposito plays another drug kingpin in "The Gentlemen."

Despite a nice starring turn by James, the show "The Time Traveler's Wife" may have fallen short of expectations set by popular series like "Breaking Bad" and "Ozark". The high standards set by these shows could explain the lukewarm reception. However, the series boasts a talented cast, including Giancarlo Esposito, Vinnie Jones, and Joely Richardson. Esposito plays a drug lord with an interest in Eddie's estate, while Jones portrays Halstead Manor's gamekeeper, and Richardson plays Eddie's mother, who remains unfazed by the chaos surrounding her.

Part of the excitement in these situations comes from the interesting changes and unexpected links that happen when, as the ad for "The Gentlemen" says, "Old money meets drug money."

In this series, it's actually more about a classic concept meeting modern presentation, along with the bonus of having a director known for their strong (albeit sometimes inconsistent) creative background and vision.

Ritchie seems to have enjoyed building on the idea of his previous film with Matthew McConaughey. It's up for debate whether the new combination of talent and tone is worth Netflix's investment in a show that relies heavily on its overall vibe and flashy effects.

"The Gentlemen" will be available on Netflix starting March 7.

Editor's P/S:

"The Gentlemen" series, an adaptation of Guy Ritchie's 2020 film, offers a compelling premise but fails to live up to the expectations set by its predecessors. Despite Theo James' charming performance and Ritchie's signature visual style, the show lacks the originality and excitement that made its cinematic counterpart so captivating. The formulaic plot and predictable character arcs hinder the series from truly distinguishing itself.

While the cast is talented, their performances are overshadowed by the show's reliance on style over substance. The constant use of loud music and flashy effects becomes tiresome, distracting from the narrative. The series attempts to explore the collision of "old money" and "drug money," but this concept is not fully developed, leaving the viewer with a sense of unfulfilled potential. Ultimately, "The Gentlemen" falls short of the mark, failing to deliver the same level of intrigue and entertainment that audiences have come to expect from similar crime dramas.