Gambit (2012)

"Don't be an ass, man. I'm hardly likely to be hit in the face a third time."

"Uh, that *was* the third time, sir."

"This isn't a math class!"

Harry Dean (Firth) is the frustrated art curator for British media tycoon Lionel Shahbandar (Rickman).  Shahbandar is used to getting what he wants and treats his employees poorly.  After years of abuse, Harry wants revenge and hatches a plot.  He enlists the aid of his friend the Major (Courtenay), an amateur art forger, to recreate a Monet oil painting.  Their plan also requires the assistance of P.J. Puznowski (Diaz), a Texas rodeo champion.

The plan requires P.J. to pose as the owner of the Monet.  She is supposed to sell to Shahbandar for 12 million pounds, and Harry will confirm that it is real.  However, P.J. is unpredictable and soon the plan falls apart.  Can Harry still make the plan work?


I've seen the poster for this film many times through Netflix and Redbox and finally let curiosity take over.  I enjoy Colin Firth (who doesn't?) and looked forward to trying out this film.  Apparently this film is a remake of the 1966 Gambit, starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine, with Herbert Lom as Shahbandar.  I have not seen the original (I only discovered it when I was reading on IMDb), and apparently it isn't on Netflix, but I would like to see it.  This version was written by Joel and Ethan Coen.

Early in the film, Firth's Harry Dean says he is going to tell Cameron Diaz's character "only enough for her to play her part."  That also applies to the audience, we only see what we need to see at any given time, which makes the final pay-off more satisfying.  Firth works well in the role, playing outside of his usual suave characters.  Alan Rickman, as usual, is satisfying as the villain... let's face it, he does play excellent villains.  Both do well here.  Diaz is fine, but I think the film would be better with a different actress in the lead.  Stanley Tucci is funny in a small, but memorable role.

It's not a bad film, although I do assume the 1966 version is significantly better.

Gambit (2012) 89 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content, partial nudity and a rude gesture.
Director: Michael Hoffman
Starring: Colin Firth as Harry Dean
Cameron Diaz as P.J. Puznowski
Alan Rickman as Lionel Shahbandar
Tom Courtenay as The Major
Stanley Tucci as Zaidenweber
Togo Igawa as Takagawa