NatalinaRocknRolla: Guy Ritchie's Triumphant Return
November 21st 2008 09:36
Certainly there are those among you who may feel that my review of the film "RocknRolla" will be a bit biased. After all, it does star our favorite Alpha Male Gerard Butler. However, I must tell you, I've been a Guy Ritchie fan for a long time, well before Mr. Butler blipped blissfully on to my radar, and I can honestly say that I loved this flick!
Guy Ritchie is well known for his British gangster films. He first came on to the scene with the brilliant "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels". Next, he brought us the hysterical and stylish "Snatch". I am a fan of both films, and was admittedly upset with Ritchie's next film starring his then wife Madonna, "Swept Away". Ugh. What a disaster!
We then saw "Revolver", which I felt was quite underrated. The movie was universally panned as incomprehensible and perhaps a bit pretentious, but I found it rather challenging, artful, and ultimately enjoyable. Still, not exactly what we came to love about Guy Ritchie films.
Which is why fans of Mr. Ritchie's gritty gangster underworld were thrilled to hear that he planned to return to the genre with "RocknRolla". I can assure you, it is a true return to form, does not disappoint, and exceeds expectations.
"RocknRolla" introduces us to a London in transition. London's criminal underbelly is no longer solely controlled by elite local bosses and their trusty henchmen. Times have changed, and there are new players on the board, namely; the Russians.
As he does best, Ritchie wraps the film in a multi-layered story with many converging plotlines and intertwining characters. It is a patchwork of wonderful capers and chases, stylishly cut and pieced together, and tied to a fantastic soundtrack.
Tom Wilkinson plays a wonderfully dark, funny, and dangerous boss named Lenny Cole. He has become heavily involved in the London real estate game, and has gained control of a particular property which is desired by a Russian gangster named Uri. Uri approaches Cole to procure the property, and Cole decides to take the Russian for a ride. Sort of, show him who's boss, if you will. Of course, Uri has plots and plans of his own, and a power struggle ensues between the "Old School" and the "New School".
Enter the "Wild Bunch", a group of criminals including One Two (Gerard Butler), Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) and Mumbles (Idris Elba), who work for Cole and are embroiled in a real estate scheme of their own, which ends up being tied to the real estate that the Russians want and Cole owns. These guys are now knee deep in trying to help Cole outwit the Russians, while trying to help themselves in the process, and hilarity and violence commence!
If the above description leaves your head swimming, it should. One needs to see the film in its entirety to see the full scope of the story, and to tie all of the stories together. But I promise you, it does make sense, and culminates in a brilliant tale from start to finish. The film also stars Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and a remarkable Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid who is the rock star at the center of this elaborate tale!
See "RocknRolla" if you enjoy dark humor, guns, gangsters, and great acting! Everyone is perfect in their role, and you will leave the film having been treated to an adrenaline filled ride that begs to be continued (which more than likely will be, if Ritchie has his way!).
Please enjoy the below video which includes an interview with the director and cast as well as plenty of clips from the film!
Guy Ritchie is well known for his British gangster films. He first came on to the scene with the brilliant "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels". Next, he brought us the hysterical and stylish "Snatch". I am a fan of both films, and was admittedly upset with Ritchie's next film starring his then wife Madonna, "Swept Away". Ugh. What a disaster!
We then saw "Revolver", which I felt was quite underrated. The movie was universally panned as incomprehensible and perhaps a bit pretentious, but I found it rather challenging, artful, and ultimately enjoyable. Still, not exactly what we came to love about Guy Ritchie films.
Which is why fans of Mr. Ritchie's gritty gangster underworld were thrilled to hear that he planned to return to the genre with "RocknRolla". I can assure you, it is a true return to form, does not disappoint, and exceeds expectations.
"RocknRolla" introduces us to a London in transition. London's criminal underbelly is no longer solely controlled by elite local bosses and their trusty henchmen. Times have changed, and there are new players on the board, namely; the Russians.
As he does best, Ritchie wraps the film in a multi-layered story with many converging plotlines and intertwining characters. It is a patchwork of wonderful capers and chases, stylishly cut and pieced together, and tied to a fantastic soundtrack.
Tom Wilkinson plays a wonderfully dark, funny, and dangerous boss named Lenny Cole. He has become heavily involved in the London real estate game, and has gained control of a particular property which is desired by a Russian gangster named Uri. Uri approaches Cole to procure the property, and Cole decides to take the Russian for a ride. Sort of, show him who's boss, if you will. Of course, Uri has plots and plans of his own, and a power struggle ensues between the "Old School" and the "New School".
Enter the "Wild Bunch", a group of criminals including One Two (Gerard Butler), Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) and Mumbles (Idris Elba), who work for Cole and are embroiled in a real estate scheme of their own, which ends up being tied to the real estate that the Russians want and Cole owns. These guys are now knee deep in trying to help Cole outwit the Russians, while trying to help themselves in the process, and hilarity and violence commence!
If the above description leaves your head swimming, it should. One needs to see the film in its entirety to see the full scope of the story, and to tie all of the stories together. But I promise you, it does make sense, and culminates in a brilliant tale from start to finish. The film also stars Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and a remarkable Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid who is the rock star at the center of this elaborate tale!
See "RocknRolla" if you enjoy dark humor, guns, gangsters, and great acting! Everyone is perfect in their role, and you will leave the film having been treated to an adrenaline filled ride that begs to be continued (which more than likely will be, if Ritchie has his way!).
Please enjoy the below video which includes an interview with the director and cast as well as plenty of clips from the film!
| 82 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah
Comment by Richard Hansen
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Not sure about Thandie Newton, though... do you rate her?
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I think that Toby Kebbell is the real break out star of rocknrolla. Just fantastic!
If you liked Snatch and Lock Stock, you'll like Rocknrolla. Apparently, Mr. Ritchie would like to make it a trilogy.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I really enjoyed Thandie in this role actually.
And Handsome Bob and Toby Kebbell were gold.
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Has Toby Kebbell been in anything else?
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Toby hasn't been in much that was notable, apart from the brilliant Dead Man's Shoes where he played the simple-minded younger brother who is actually a ghost. He was also in Control, the excellent bio-pic of Ian Curtis, but not in a significant role.