Comedy movies Archives - Nyfco New York Film Criticism Blog Mon, 26 Aug 2024 10:32:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://www.nyfco.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-clapperboard-1085692_640-32x32.png Comedy movies Archives - Nyfco 32 32 Jewelry on the film set: fakes or originals? https://www.nyfco.net/jewelry-on-the-film-set-fakes-or-originals/ Mon, 26 Aug 2024 10:32:51 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=156 When it comes to filmmaking, every detail matters. Sets, costumes, props—all these elements help immerse the viewer in the world created by the director. A key element that plays a …

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When it comes to filmmaking, every detail matters. Sets, costumes, props—all these elements help immerse the viewer in the world created by the director. A key element that plays a significant role in shaping the character’s image is jewelry. But the question arises: what jewelry should be used on set-fakes or originals?

The role of jewelry in cinema

Jewelry on set serves not only an aesthetic function but also helps to reveal the character’s personality, highlight their social status, emotional state, or even the culture to which they belong. For example, in historical films, jewelry can reflect the era, while in modern dramas, it can emphasize the inner world of the characters. Therefore, the choice between originals and fakes becomes an important decision for the production team.

Advantages of using originals

Using original jewelry has several advantages. First, such items have a unique energy and history, which can add an additional layer of depth to the character’s image. When an actress wears a genuine necklace or bracelet, she may feel a connection to the past, which helps her better immerse herself in the role. This is especially relevant for historical films, where authenticity is of paramount importance.

Second, original jewelry often has unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship, making them indispensable for close-up shots. The camera can capture even the smallest details, and the viewer may notice if the jewelry looks too cheap or artificial. Original jewelry, on the other hand, emits a special shine and elegance that is difficult to replicate with fakes.

Also using originals can serve as a kind of advertisement for jewelry houses. Major brands sometimes provide their pieces for filming to showcase them in the best light and attract potential buyers’ attention. This mutually beneficial cooperation between cinema and jewelry brands has become common practice in Hollywood and other major cinematic centers. Some production studios also choose jewelry on sites like https://trustedjewelries.com/store/capucinne/ reviews because it is cost-effective.

Disadvantages of using originals

However, working with original jewelry comes with certain challenges. The main one is the risk of loss or damage. Film sets are often chaotic, and even the most expensive items can be accidentally lost or spoiled. Insuring such jewelry can be costly, increasing the film’s budget.

Another factor is the limited selection. Unlike fakes, original jewelry often exists in a single copy, and its availability may depend on many factors, including accessibility and rental conditions. This can complicate the task for costume designers and production staff, who must integrate these pieces into the film’s overall style.

Advantages of using fakes

Fakes, in turn, have their advantages. First, they are significantly cheaper than originals, which is especially important when working on projects with limited budgets. Prop designers can create exact replicas of famous jewelry that will look convincing on screen without requiring the same level of expenditure.

Second, fakes are easier to handle. They do not require complex storage conditions, and the risk of their loss does not cause as much concern. Moreover, they can be used in various situations where original jewelry might be damaged, such as in action or water scenes. However, many filmmakers still prefer originals. There are several popular sites, such as https://trustedjewelries.com/store/capucinne/ capucinne reviews, to help you purchase originals.

Disadvantages

Nevertheless, fakes have their limitations. The main one is the lack of the uniqueness and energy inherent in original jewelry. Fakes may look beautiful, but they do not carry the history and significance that can be crucial for creating a specific mood in the film.

Another downside is the risk that the fake will look cheap or unconvincing, especially in close-up scenes. The camera can reveal small defects or flaws that are not noticeable to the naked eye. This can undermine the viewer’s perception and affect the overall impression of the film.

When to choose originals and when to choose fakes?

The choice between originals and fakes depends on many factors, including the genre of the film, the budget, the plot, and the director’s vision. In historical films or biographies, where authenticity is key, preference is often given to original jewelry. In such projects, every detail matters, and originals help create a more believable world.

At the same time, in action films where jewelry can easily be damaged or lost, it is better to use fakes. They allow for budget savings and avoid unnecessary risks without sacrificing the quality of the final product. Fakes are also suitable for mass scenes where a large amount of jewelry is needed, which does not necessarily have to be real.

Jewelry plays an important role on set, and the choice between originals and fakes can significantly impact the final outcome of the film. Original jewelry adds authenticity and depth to the project but requires careful handling and significant expenses. Fakes, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness but may lack the unique aura that originals carry.

Ultimately, the decision on what jewelry to use depends on the goals and tasks of the specific project. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the jewelry when choosing to purchase from reliable sites, such as capucinne reviews. However, regardless of the choice, it is important to remember that each piece of jewelry on set is not just a prop but an important element that helps create a world in which the viewer is ready to immerse themselves.

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Filming Movies at Concerts: Challenges for the Director https://www.nyfco.net/filming-movies-at-concerts-challenges-for-the-director/ Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:17:26 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=153 Filming movies at concerts requires the director not only to have skill but also to be able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. A concert is an event where everything …

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Filming movies at concerts requires the director not only to have skill but also to be able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. A concert is an event where everything happens in real-time, and the director does not have the opportunity to reshoot a scene or change the script. He must be ready for any surprises and able to react quickly to changes. Let’s look at directors’ main challenges when filming movies at concerts.

Lighting

The first and foremost obstacle is lighting management. At concerts, lighting is often dynamic, using strobes, lasers, and spotlights that can change in sync with the music or at the lighting director’s discretion. In such conditions, correctly exposing the frame becomes a real challenge. The director must work closely with the cameramen and lighting technicians to create the highest quality image possible. But even with such cooperation, there is always the possibility that the stage lighting may suddenly change, leading to overexposure or underexposure of the frame. Control over these aspects requires experience and attentiveness, as well as a high degree of readiness for unforeseen situations. By the way, many movie fans specifically buy tickets to concerts where filming is taking place. In such cases, fans most often purchase tickets on sites like https://sites.google.com/site/legitticketsites/ticketmaster-reviews (don’t worry, is Ticketmaster legit, it is a reliable company).

Sound

Another important issue is sound. At concerts, sound comes from many sources: the music itself, audience cheers, and applause. Recording clean sound in such conditions is no easy task. The director must ensure that the sound equipment is properly set up and that the sound engineer has enough experience to record everything happening on stage with high quality. Noise from the audience can be very disruptive, and various techniques, such as directional microphones and noise suppressors, are used to minimize their impact. However, even these methods only sometimes guarantee perfect results, especially considering that the hall’s acoustics may not match ideal recording conditions.

Audience

The third aspect is working with the audience. Concertgoers are an integral part of the event. Their reactions, emotions, and engagement create a special atmosphere that the director must convey through the frame. However, managing the audience can be quite challenging. The director does not have the opportunity to ask the audience to repeat their actions or change their behavior. Moreover, sometimes audience behavior can cause unpredictable situations, such as mass movements, fan rushes to the stage, or even conflicts in the crowd. All of this requires the director to be able to quickly adapt and change the script according to the situation.

Camera

Equally important is the problem of camera movement. Concerts often take place in a dynamic environment where musicians actively move around the stage, interacting with the audience and each other. Cameramen must keep track of every movement, which requires great skill and concentration. The director, in turn, must coordinate the work of the entire film crew to capture the most important moments, without missing any details. This is especially challenging when filming with multiple cameras simultaneously, and the synchronized work of all cameras must be ensured.

Placement

Filming at concerts is also associated with the issue of equipment accessibility and placement. Limited space on stage and in the hall, as well as the need not to disturb the audience and performers, restrict the possibilities for setting up cameras and other equipment. The director needs to plan the placement of the equipment so that it does not interfere with the event while still capturing all the key moments of the concert. Often, hanging systems for cameras, cranes, and other complex technical solutions have to be used, which increases both the budget of the filming and the risk of technical problems. Sometimes individual seats must be purchased specifically for the equipment. By the way, one of the most reliable sites for concert tickets is https://sites.google.com/site/legitticketsites/stubhub-reviews-2016 (you can check is Stubhub legit, it is a licensed site). Also, a good selection of tickets can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/legitticketsites/viagogo-reviews (is Viagogo legit? Yes, it is).

 Synchronization

The next challenge for the director is the need for synchronization. When filming concerts, many specialists are involved: cameramen, sound engineers, technicians, and editors. They all must work closely together. This is especially relevant for filming using multi-camera setups. The director must coordinate the actions of the entire team so that all the frames and soundtracks are synchronized and match the intended scenario. This requires not only good organization of work but also a high level of professionalism from all participants in the process.

Permission

Legal aspects should not be forgotten. Filming a concert requires obtaining permissions from event organizers, artists, and sometimes even from the audience if they appear in the frame. Failure to comply with these formalities can lead to legal consequences, up to the prohibition of using the filmed material. Therefore, the director must ensure all necessary permissions and approvals in advance to avoid problems in the future.

Post-production

The final challenge faced by the director when filming concerts is post-production. After filming is completed, the equally challenging process of editing and processing the material begins. It is important not only to assemble all the footage into a coherent picture but also to make the viewer feel the concert atmosphere, and convey the energy and emotions present in the hall. Often, a large amount of material has to be worked with, selecting the best moments, and synchronizing sound and image. This process requires the director not only to have technical knowledge but also to take a creative approach.

Filming movies at concerts is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a high level of skill, experience, and the ability to adapt to various conditions. Light, sound, working with the audience, movement on stage, equipment placement, synchronization, legal aspects, and post-production — all these elements require careful planning and coordinated work of the entire team. Only with a professional approach can success be achieved and a truly high-quality film created that conveys the entire atmosphere and energy of the concert.

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Movies Featuring Whales and Marine Life https://www.nyfco.net/movies-featuring-whales-and-marine-life/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:13:55 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=134 Whales have been a popular subject in movies for many years, featuring in a range of genres from documentaries to adventure films. These movies showcase the lives of these incredible …

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Whales have been a popular subject in movies for many years, featuring in a range of genres from documentaries to adventure films. These movies showcase the lives of these incredible marine animals, often highlighting their interactions with humans and their environment. By focusing on whales, these films aim to entertain and educate audiences about marine life and the challenges faced by these creatures.

Free Willy (1993)

“Free Willy” is a classic film about a young boy named Jesse who befriends a captive orca whale named Willy. Jesse’s mission to free Willy and return him to the ocean highlights the bond between humans and marine animals. The film brought significant attention to the issues surrounding captive whales and inspired a generation to care more about marine life.

Finding Nemo (2003)

“Finding Nemo” is an animated film that follows a clownfish named Marlin as he searches for his son, Nemo. The movie features a variety of marine creatures and a notable scene with a whale that helps Marlin and Dory. The film emphasizes the importance of family and the beauty of underwater life, making it a favorite for audiences of all ages.

Whale Rider (2002)

“Whale Rider” is a drama that centers on a young Maori girl named Paikea, who aspires to become the chief of her tribe, a role traditionally held by males. The film includes symbolic and literal connections with whales, as Paikea proves her leadership by saving stranded whales. It highlights the cultural significance of whales in Maori tradition and the strength of a young girl breaking gender norms.

The Whale (2011)

“The Whale” is a documentary film that tells the true story of Luna, a young killer whale separated from his family on the coast of Vancouver Island. Luna’s interactions with humans in the area create a unique bond and raise questions about human-wildlife interactions and the ethics of wildlife conservation.

In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

Based on the true story that inspired Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” “In the Heart of the Sea” follows the crew of the whaleship Essex, which is attacked by a giant sperm whale. The film portrays the harsh realities of 19th-century whaling and the awe-inspiring power of these magnificent creatures.

Big Miracle (2012)

“Big Miracle” is based on the true story of three gray whales trapped by ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, and the international efforts to free them. The film highlights the cooperation between environmentalists, local communities, and even the military to save the whales, showcasing the global importance of marine conservation.

Orca (1977)

“Orca” is a thriller about a male orca whale seeking revenge after his mate is killed by a fisherman. While the film is a work of fiction, it underscores the intelligence and emotional depth of these marine mammals, and serves as a dramatic reminder of the consequences of human actions on wildlife.

The Cove (2009)

“The Cove” is a powerful documentary that exposes the brutal practice of dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan. While not specifically about whales, it sheds light on the broader issues of marine conservation and the urgent need to protect all marine mammals from human exploitation.

Blackfish (2013)

“Blackfish” is a documentary that focuses on Tilikum, an orca held in captivity at SeaWorld, and the controversies surrounding orca captivity. The film played a significant role in changing public perception about keeping orcas in captivity and has had a lasting impact on marine park practices.

Whale Wars (2008-2015)

“Whale Wars” is a reality television series that follows the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s efforts to stop illegal whaling operations in the Southern Ocean. The series documents the organization’s direct action tactics and brings attention to the ongoing fight against illegal whaling.

Whales: An Unforgettable Journey (1997)

This IMAX documentary takes viewers on a stunning visual journey into the lives of whales. The film provides an intimate look at the habits and habitats of different whale species, underscoring the majesty and mystery of these ocean giants.

Blue Planet II (2017)

This acclaimed nature documentary series from the BBC, narrated by David Attenborough, includes breathtaking footage of marine life, with several episodes dedicated to the lives of whales and their interactions within the ocean ecosystem.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

In this installment of the Star Trek series, the crew of the USS Enterprise travels back in time to 20th century Earth to save humpback whales from extinction in the future. Some scenes were filmed in the Monterey Bay area. The bay is known for the best whale watching Monterey tours, giving you the chance to see these magnificent creatures up close. After the bay, a scenic 17-mile drive with beautiful ocean views is worth a visit. Hikinginbigsur.com features an overview of the best 17 Mile Drive tours on their site. The film highlights the importance of whales in the Earth’s ecosystem and the need to preserve these magnificent creatures.

Whales and marine life have inspired many films that captivate audiences and raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation. Whether through documentaries, animated adventures, or dramatic tales, these movies highlight the beauty, intelligence, and significance of marine creatures. To experience the majesty of whales firsthand, consider embarking on the best whale watching Monterey or exploring the scenic 17 mile drive tours. These real-life adventures offer a chance to connect with the marine world and appreciate the natural wonders that these films so vividly portray.

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Ocean’s 8 girlfriends https://www.nyfco.net/oceans-8-girlfriends/ Sun, 10 Dec 2023 13:20:00 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=54 It turns out that the famous con man Danny Ocean has a younger sister - Debbie. She has not yet succeeded in committing a major robbery: prison interfered.

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It turns out that the famous con man Danny Ocean has a younger sister – Debbie. She has not yet succeeded in committing a major robbery: prison interfered. Having masterfully played remorse, Debbie gets out early and decides to enrich her resume with the biggest heist in history.

Her target is a necklace worth 150 million dollars. In order to pull it off, she needs a team: Debbie invites women of different ages, but of the same degree of crookedness. The venue is the Met Gala Ball, the most glamorous event in the world, where celebrities and businessmen flaunt bizarre outfits and lavish jewelry.

Scenario and dramaturgy

There’s no point in hiding the obvious. Naturally, Debbie and company succeed. Certainly with certain amendments and surprises, but this is not the main thing here. The main thing in both Soderbergh’s and Gary Ross’ movies is the journey. How to twist and show everything in such a way that it is intriguing, fresh, inventive? Actually, this applies to all heist movies.

And here lies the main problem of Ross’s picture: unlike the films of the original trilogy, there is no intrigue, no freshness, no inventiveness in it. Ocean’s 8 Girlfriends is well-cut, like a designer dress c Met Gala, played by great actresses and actors, like in the 2001 movie, but it doesn’t even try to take on a life of its own. Beautiful and talented people walk around in stylish interiors, but the necessary fire never appears. It doesn’t even spark.

Returning to the genre question, before us is a picture about a robbery, in which the main thing – the actual robbery – is the last thing to worry about. Of course, you can watch the organization of the Met Gala, surprised by the appearance of stars, but it is unlikely that the creators of the picture set themselves as a goal to make a feature film about the ball. And if they did, then pity here first of all actresses.

In general, the global problem is that Ocean’s 8 Girlfriends is a very cautious movie, afraid to go beyond the limits or say something sharp. Hollywood has come up with a concept that fits the zeitgeist, but they haven’t decided what to do with it. (At the very least, to choose more interesting directors).

In the grayness of the picture lies its main gimmick. It’s not awful enough to be outright criticized, but it also doesn’t reach for something serious and meaningful to be talked about with gusto. As a result, the movie exists in such a borderline zone of oblivion behind a single viewing. Except that it’s not hard to fall carelessly into that border zone.

Picture and actors

Simply listing big names in the credits is a marketing ploy. It’s the director’s job to create chemistry between the actors on set. Which Gary Ross failed to do. Each of the announced actresses play their fee professionally and with honor, but when they come together it is not quite clear why.

In this case, almost everyone tried to prescribe the motivation: one is on the verge of bankruptcy, the second wants revenge, the third just likes to steal, the fourth goes for company, the fifth has no friends, and so on, but what sounds good on paper, does not always look good in the movie.

Gary Ross is a director without much of a signature. His only stylistic and semantic success is the 1998 tragicomedy Pleasantville. Then followed the horse drama Favorite and the first part of the teen dystopia The Hunger Games. In fact, he was supposed to copy Soderbergh’s style without too much pathos. But the latter was not to Ross’s liking. And the director himself could not offer something new.

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A review of the comedy with Anne Hathaway’s The Con Artists https://www.nyfco.net/a-review-of-the-comedy-with-anne-hathaways-the-con-artists/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 13:13:00 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=48 This happens on a train heading to the French Riviera. Josephine, a sophisticated star in the world of European scams

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This happens on a train heading to the French Riviera. Josephine, a sophisticated star in the world of European scams, accidentally crosses paths with a swashbuckling Rabelaisian con artist from the United States named Lonnie in a restaurant car. The latter is working the gullible Frenchman, trying to get him to dinner.

The scale is different for both of them: Josephine’s score usually starts at several hundred thousand euros, but the goal is the same: the seaside town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, crammed with millionaires. To prevent Lonnie from confusing her cards, Josephine decides to get rid of her just in case.

Screenplay and drama

The film, directed by Addison and written by Jacques Schaeffer, is packed with events, words and plot twists, which is certainly justified in an American comedy directed by a man from England and set in a French resort.

It was roughly the same in the two previous films that were released in the last century. We are interested in the differences. The last century is distinguished from the current one by the angle of view, and here, following a newfangled and not always justified trend, men and women have been swapped. Previously, men used to deceive the fairer sex. Now, the obvious has become clear: the weaker sex is not weak, and is just as capable of playing on the malfunctions in the program of now men.

Addison speaks several times in the first half of the film, explaining this gender mirror. Such insistence is unnecessary. The system-forming idea of the movie Fraudsters is read at a glance. But this is not what is important. What is important is that this gender reversal works perfectly here. This tendency is not always justified, not because it is wrong, but because it does not always produce results. An example is the boring comedy Ocean’s Eight from the same Hathaway. Here, there is a result.

There are several reasons for this. Firstly, Addison has an innate sense of humor, which was tempered in the forges of Armando Iannucci. Secondly, the screenwriter Schaeffer is not without it either. She tried hard not to make the confusing story of the con artists worse, and she succeeded more often than not.

Schaeffer is also a co-writer of the movie Captain Marvel. That movie, despite some of its flaws, was light and unobtrusive. Here, it’s much the same.

Having started his story as a gender satire in the spirit of his mentor’s works, Addison in the second half turns off the allegedly planned path and goes into a purely American comedy with all the consequences that entails. To put it bluntly, no one was offended here, and everyone behind the cynical armor has a very real human heart.

Actors and the picture

Returning to the reasons why the movie “Con Man” works, the third point is the acting chemistry between Hathaway and Wilson. The former is aristocratic, thin and arrogant. The latter is too simple, fleshy, and punchy as a battering ram. They are terribly mismatched, but that’s the point.

Where others would have had a series of awkward scenes, the talented actresses have had a series of homerically funny awkward scenes. In general, the jokes in the movie are mainly of two types: wordplay (which, given the director’s track record, should not be surprising) and those very awkward moments (which also fits within Addison’s capabilities).

All together, it looks like an old and beloved comedy of positions. This is hinted at in the opening credits of the film.

In the first half of the film, the Con artist cunningly pretends to be stupid, and in the end it becomes so, but it doesn’t work to its disadvantage. Addison’s film, in general, has many lines that intersect: the old approach and the new century, the English school and the American school, Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson.

Both actresses use the arsenal given to them by nature and stumble only where the script requires it. As a result, they and everyone involved in the creation of the movie were definitely awarded points in karma. At least for being funny and for the fact that the principle of changing the roles of men and women has finally worked.

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The Gentlemen https://www.nyfco.net/the-gentlemen/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 13:16:00 +0000 https://www.nyfco.net/?p=51 A sneaky and slippery paparazzi named Fletcher (Hugh Grant) was commissioned by the tabloid publisher Big Dave (Eddie Marsan) to investigate the activities of criminal mastermind Mickey Pearson

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A sneaky and slippery paparazzi named Fletcher (Hugh Grant) was commissioned by the tabloid publisher Big Dave (Eddie Marsan) to investigate the activities of criminal mastermind Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey). In the process, he dug up so much dirt on Mickey that the sum of 150 thousand pounds offered by Big Dave seemed negligible to him. Mickey is just planning to sell an underground network of marijuana plantations to an American Jew, Matthew (Jeremy Strong), for 400 million pounds. Fletcher logically decides that Mickey will gladly donate 20 million for this amount, and visits the estate of Raymond (Charlie Hunnam), Mickey’s right-hand man, to discuss the matter. At the same time, he doesn’t behave like a future millionaire, his cheapness is still there: he’s happy to get free drinks, or to have a steak grilled on a newfangled grill.

Ray doesn’t give in to Fletcher’s initial onslaught and demands proof that the materials he has collected are worth 20 million. This opens up the opportunity for Fletcher to play his one-man show. He has already portrayed the story he has collected as a script for a movie, which, if Ray refuses to pay the money, he will offer to Miramax. And now Fletcher is inspired to tell about the ingenuity of Oxford graduate Mickey Pearson in growing marijuana in England, about the financial and moral decline of the English aristocracy, about the seemingly naive Jewish Matthew, who is ready to buy Mickey’s business, about the insidious Chinese mafia, which has its own interest in this business, and about many other interesting ladies and gentlemen.

With Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie traveled back in time to the beginning of his career, when he made two crime comedies that became cult films almost immediately: “Cards, Money and Two Guns and The Big Score. The new movie deserves attention even without these memories, but it’s worth mentioning. Moreover, if you haven’t seen Cards, Money and Two Guns, you should immediately catch up on your debts – they are worth it. In all three films, the director has crammed a lot of colorful characters and storylines, each of which, at first glance, go their own way, but sooner or later intersect into one big bloody ball of violence.

“The Gentlemen is not a copy of the aforementioned films; it has its own signature features and clumsy flaws. The very title of the film hints at high society, although the word “gentlemen” is used in a somewhat ironic sense. But before, there were no gentlemen at all, all the main and supporting characters came from the criminal underbelly and behaved accordingly. Here, gentlemen with a certificate appear on the screen – English hereditary aristocrats without money or conscience who cooperate with the underworld to maintain their social status. Against their background, the elegant Mickey and the even more elegant Ray, although they do not have blue blood in their family, deserve the name “gentlemen” much more. They have expensive suits, well-groomed hair and beards, and, most importantly, they have dignity.

The whole film consists of two conventional parts that only indirectly intersect with each other. The first one is Fletcher’s paparazzi’s story about Mickey’s business, and the second one is the adventures of the criminal mastermind himself. Formally, Fletcher acts only as a narrator for the story, but he takes up so much screen time that the scene at Ray’s estate looks like a separate unique performance. In addition, it involves two super colorful characters – Fletcher and Ray. Hugh Grant perfectly portrayed the slippery bastard who encroaches on Mickey’s millions and does so with unique enthusiasm. This is probably the first role of this kind for the usually romantic Hugh Grant, and he has a blast here.

But Fletcher probably wouldn’t have looked so funny if it weren’t for Charlie Hunnam. His Raymond created the perfect contrast for the insidious paparazzi. Fletcher is wearing a leather jacket and turtleneck, while Raymond is wearing a shirt and tie. Fletcher wears a beard that has long gone out of fashion, while Raymond’s beard is groomed by the best barbershops in London. Fletcher demonstrates ostentatious confidence, while Raymond easily proves that he is the alpha male of the two. In the scenes with the other characters, Raymond is just as dominant, fading into the shadows only when the “king of the jungle” Mickey appears on the scene.

Although Mickey is the main figure of the entire movie and played by Matthew McConaughey himself, for me he is only the third best character in Gentlemen. He has too little self-irony for a movie like this. And when he starts preaching truths about lions and jungles in a preachy tone, the level of pathos starts to go seriously over the top. And there is nothing good about it.

But who can boast of unsurpassed self-irony is Colin Farrell. His martial arts coach, who goes by the name of Coach, is a song. If you remember how Farrell played Alexander the Great in the 2004 movie Alexander, then here is the complete opposite, both externally and internally. Although internally, he may look like the king of all Greeks. A funny checkered suit does not prevent Coach from accepting defeat with honor and demonstrating his willingness to buy up his sins. I didn’t expect to see the thug Farrell at all (even less than the paparazzi Grant) and I enjoyed what I saw.

Among the actors, I would also like to mention Elliot Sumner. He played Laura, the drug-addicted daughter of impoverished aristocrats, but he attracts attention not for this, but for his repulsive appearance, non-binary gender, and his family. Elliot Sumner’s father is Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting. And all fans of the movie “Cards, Money and Two Guns” remember that Sting played the protagonist’s father in it. And now, 20 years later, Sting’s child is playing in the spiritual descendant of Cards, Money.

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