The words ‘flogging’, ‘dead’ and ‘horse’ come to mind.
It seems all Guy Ritchie is capable of directing is gangster films (minus Sherlock Holmes). Fast-paced editing. Dodgy dealings. Two-dimensional characters. An apparently intelligent script that is in fact, through its liberal use of profanities, pretty immature. A convoluted plot that’s all a bit silly. And plenty of brash Laaaaandaners.
All the stereotypes are in there – your arrogant, money-hungry boss; your drug-addled weirdo; your cold but sexy female; your young, butt-of-everyone’s-jokes guy (literally). Yet, despite the presence of some emerging British talent, the film (and the genre) just feels so tired and mediocre: a bit violent, slightly amusing in places, but also messy and not all that interesting.
Ten years ago, with the re-emergence of the gangster genre, Guy Ritchie was at the top of his game. But since then times have moved on and it’s about time he caught up.
2/5
For more 150 word reviews, visit Screen150.
2/5
For more 150 word reviews, visit Screen150.
