Gambit proves that the Coen brothers are not infallible. Having written the screenplay but not directed this disappointingly weak crime craper it solidifies the fact that they should always direct their own written words.
A remake of the 1966 film of the same name, Colin Firth plays Harry Deane, personal employee of arrogant millionaire Lionel Shahbander (Alan Rickman), who decides one day that enough is enough and plans to con his boss into buying a fake version of a painting he’s long been searching for.
Under the direction of Michael Hoffman (The Last Station), Gambit tries its hardest to be a throwback to the British farces of the Ealing Studios heyday but is neither ridiculous enough to be a lark you can just throw your hands up and go with nor funny enough to be enjoyed in its small movements of quirky character interaction and culture clashes.
Firth is crucially miscast in the lead role, seeming uncomfortable with the style of comedy he’s supposed to be delivering. Inexplicably extended sequences of him without any trousers on (he’s dropped them from a window and they’ve landed in a tree, ya see) or getting periodically punched in the face by everyone in the cast still able to make a fist are the disappointing heights of the comedy Firth is involved in. While playing against type as a sassy, loud-mouthed Texan, Cameron Diaz isn’t much better as her over-the-top persona becomes increasingly irritating throughout. Rickman as Firth’s insufferable boss and particularly Stanley Tucci as a bi-lingual art curator have fun in their roles though probably a lot more than the audience is having watching them.
It moves at a brisk pace and at the very least doesn’t drag on to become a chore, but that makes the endeavour all the more frustrating in that it lacks the hilariously punchy dialogue and comedic chemistry of its cast to match. Attempting a mix of The Ladykillers and Ocean’s Eleven by way of The Pink Panther, Gambit fails to hit the comedic notes it aims for. Missing the broad canvas more often than it sneaks in a joke or two that actually works, it has a good heart but it’s just a shame it doesn’t have the head to match. Easily the worst thing the Coen brothers have ever produced.
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