Twigs - The Gentlemen Season 1
[Note: This review will discuss elements of The Gentlemen that were revealed in promotional material, such as trailers. If you’re someone who enjoys going into recent TV shows knowing as little as possible, you may want to skip reading this review.]
When something that couldn’t be considered a media franchise suddenly becomes a media franchise, I grow wary of the shiny new product now on display.
Despite the fact this particular show was made by Guy Ritchie—who also made the movie it’s based on—I was still wary of The Gentlemen going in. A spinoff to the 2019, Matthew McConaughey-led film of the same name, this new Netflix show follows the story of Eddie Horniman who, after the death of his father, becomes the Duke of Halstead, much to the chagrin of his older, less mature brother Freddy. However, trouble arises when Eddie learns his father had dealings with the Glass family, a branch of the weed empire established in the original movie. As more players enter the game and trouble arises from an assortment of places, Eddie must try to balance maintaining peace in the new criminal underworld he finds himself in while also trying to feel for a way out.
It didn’t take long for this show to grow on me. The characters were all sharply written, much like everyone created for Ritchie’s many film projects. Eddie is a standout for his no-nonsense personality mixed with sharp wit, making him feel both unassuming and commanding in every scene he’s in. This is compounded by Susie Glass, his associate within the crime family who knows how to operate the business side of things, not being afraid to get the hands of her henchmen dirty in order to keep the peace. But the selling point for me in the first few episodes was Freddy. Everything about his character screamed trouble from the very start, making me wonder just how many of the problems Eddie and Susie faced were going to come from him. And while he has his part to play in the story, Eddie eventually won me over as one of the more interesting, dynamic characters of the show. The fact the series focuses mostly on him was a phenomenal and sensible choice, as it helps to establish both the crime drama elements, as well as the comedy that’s on display throughout.
Because, as luck would have it, the tone of this series is just as flowing a mix of comedy and drama as Ritchie’s best movies. I’m remiss to spoil much because of just how wild things get, but the way these two seemingly conflicting tones mesh with one another helps bolster the series to great heights. There’s a dramatic tension to the confrontations that happen between Eddie and other criminals throughout the series, yes. But there’s also a flair of comedy that helps make everything transpiring comedic, and almost cozy to some extent. I felt like I was getting lost in every episode because, while there were high stakes in many of them, there was still that expertly-crafted comedic undertone that made the whole series feel like nothing bad was going to happen. On occasion, that sense of security was a false one. However, having familiarity with the director’s work helped me to enjoy what the show was trying to do all the more. In fact, being used to and enjoying that unique style is why The Gentlemen ended up being such a great series in my eyes.
Instead of relying on the plot of the original movie, the Netflix series does its own thing with the concept, offering up new characters and situations that have nothing to do with the movie. Sometimes, in the back of my head, it felt strange knowing that all these events were unfolding in the same universe. That’s because the series feels incredibly disconnected from the film, given just how different its offerings are. However, by the time I finished watching the show, I realized this was actually a positive mark for the series. By never acknowledging the events of the original movie, the show was able to forge ahead using its own identity. Anyone can watch this series without having seen the movie first, the film simply offering a more detailed look at the show’s backdrop and nothing more (albeit a fantastic crime-comedy in its own right).
This ease of accessibility is the proper way to make a TV spinoff, as it doesn’t require the audience to have much external knowledge of the parent media. Instead of coasting off its title, the show makes a name for itself on its own. From its memorable characters, to its wild plots, to the many ways in which the series references the movie without making it feel like it’s necessary to enjoy the show. It’s why the series is something I can easily recommend. While watching the movie or any of Ritchie’s past works will help you to better appreciate the artistry on display here, not doing so won’t lock you out of any other parts of the experience. If you think a crime-comedy series about a Duke trying to balance the inner ongoings of criminal underworlds sounds like a good time, then you’ll love The Gentlemen.
I do want to say, though, that this series definitely surprised me. Whenever things start to get franchised these days, it sometimes feels like they’re only spreading themselves outward in order to make money. And while monetary gain in art is always important—artists need to eat too, after all—chasing dollar signs doesn’t always guarantee you’ll catch them. Instead, I believe art that comes from the creator’s soul, that’s willing to be what it is unashamedly, is what will always rise to the top. And The Gentlemen soars as a darkly hilarious, dramatic, fast-paced crime-comedy that, even after Season 1, has plenty of room to grow. I can’t wait to see what Ritchie does if he continues to make TV shows, as I’m a big fan of his work and want to know what he’ll do next on the small screen.
The Gentlemen really is a reflection of how well a TV spinoff of a movie can actually work.
***
If you like the blog and want to support me, consider buying one of my books here.
For weekly updates on my writing, subscribe to The Crown Informer!
For more Frayed Branches, you can subscribe to get new essays (usually) every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM EST—and Twigs reviews at any time—below:
You can also share this essay by clicking the box below:
Thank you for your support!
ncG1vNJzZmieopbGprDBq5inm5iawG%2B%2F1JuqrZmToHuku8xop2isp560tHnToZxmn5Wjwa2xzJ6lZquVlsCwuoxq