This series is exactly what happens when British aristocracy, organised crime and Guy Ritchie’s imagination decide to share one house.. The story follows Eddie Horniman, a former British Army officer who unexpectedly inherits his family’s huge estate after his father dies... Eddie thinks he is simply stepping into the responsibilities of becoming a duke but he soon discovers that the estate is connected to a massive cannabis empire operated by the Glass family and the funny part is that Eddie wants nothing to do with criminals... Unfortunately for him, the criminals have other plans..
The cannabis business is run by Susie Glass, while her father Bobby Glass is the powerful man behind the operation... Susie is intelligent, calm, stylish and extremely dangerous and She is the kind of person who can discuss business politely and still make you feel like your life is in danger...
Eddie’s older brother Freddy, played by Daniel Ings, is another major source of trouble. Freddy is irresponsible, dramatic, selfish and constantly finding new ways to create problems for the family. Almost every time he appears, I already know something ridiculous is about to happen.. The man has the survival instincts of a mosquito near an electric racket... What makes the series entertaining is the contrast between Eddie’s polished aristocratic world and the criminal world beneath it.. He begins as someone who wants to protect his family name and keep the estate clean, but the more he gets involved, the more he starts to understand how power actually works.
The series plays with the idea that the upper class and the criminal underworld may not be as different as they pretend. Both worlds are built around influence, money, loyalty, threats and people trying to protect what belongs to them.
Theo James was very good as Eddie.. He gives the character a controlled and serious presence, but you can also see the frustration building as he gets dragged into situations he never asked for. Eddie is not instantly transformed into a gangster. His evolution happens gradually, and that makes it more believable.
Kaya Scodelario was probably the standout for me. Susie is confident and calculating, but she is not written as a one-dimensional “cold female gangster.” She has her own ambitions, family issues and complicated relationship with Eddie. Their chemistry is one of the strongest parts of the show.
Daniel Ings also deserves serious credit. Freddy is irritating, but he is irritating in an entertaining way. His chaotic energy gives the series much of its humour. Every time he makes a bad decision, the consequences become someone else’s problem.
The supporting cast is packed with familiar faces, including Ray Winstone, Vinnie Jones and Giancarlo Esposito. Vinnie Jones fits perfectly into the world as Geoff, the loyal gamekeeper who looks like he could bury someone before breakfast. Giancarlo Esposito brings his usual calm and intimidating energy as Stanley Johnston.
The action is stylish, violent and sometimes completely absurd. This is not a realistic crime drama where everyone behaves sensibly. People get beaten up, threatened, kidnapped and occasionally treated in ways that are so outrageous you cannot help but laugh.... That is the Guy Ritchie influence... The dialogue is sharp, the editing is energetic, and the show has that familiar mix of criminal schemes, double-crosses, eccentric characters and unexpected twists. It feels like an extended version of one of Ritchie’s gangster films, although the eight-episode format gives the characters more time to develop.... However, the series is not flawless... The plot can become complicated, with several gangs, businesses, family problems and criminal deals competing for attention. Some twists are also predictable, especially if you are already familiar with Guy Ritchie’s style.
The tone can be uneven too. One moment, the show is dealing with serious violence and betrayal.. The next, someone is wearing a ridiculous costume or making a joke in the middle of chaos. Personally, I enjoyed that mixture, but I understand why it may not work for everyone.
There are also moments when the series seems more interested in style than substance. The characters are entertaining, but some of their emotional development could have gone deeper.... Still, The Gentlemen is a very enjoyable crime comedy. It has good performances, memorable characters, beautiful locations, clever dialogue and enough madness to keep things interesting... You do not need to watch the 2019 movie to understand the series. It exists in the same world, but it follows different characters and tells its own story.
Overall, The Gentlemen is a stylish, funny and violent series about power, inheritance, family and the strange relationship between wealth and crime..
Rating: 80/100