The Gentlemen

I have been a semi-fan of Hugh Grant for several years.  He plays doofy and kind of smarmy characters (but with a hidden side of decency and heart that eventually comes out) better than just about anyone.  So what a pleasant surprise to discover a deliciously evil Hugh Grant in Guy Ritchie’s newest movie, “The Gentlemen.”  The story follows American Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), who has built a profitable marijuana empire in London. Word gets out that he is looking to sell his business and retire.  This piece of news sets off a whole series of events that include extortion, schemes and betrayals, sundry illegalities and even murder as various lowlifes compete to take his empire.  In the middle of it all is a seedy, almost unrecogizable Hugh Grant playing Fletcher,a sleazy private eye who also narrates the story.  Guy Ritchie also employees a cast of characters well played by Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell and Jeremy Strong.  There is action galore and several twists and turns keep things interesting.  At one point, a giant pig plays a key, if somewhat disgusting role.  I liked this movie more than I thought it would and it is the kind of mindless, but enthusiastic, entertainment that I like to watch before the Oscar results come out.