Film enthusiasts are in for a treat tonight as a little-known action comedy, hailed by some as being like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, gets a primetime slot on British television.
A Stellar Cast in a Chaotic Caper
The 2018 film Gringo boasts an impressive A-list lineup, featuring highly respected actors such as David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, and Thandiwe Newton. Directed by Nash Edgerton, the movie follows the story of a mild-mannered businessman named Harold ‘Harry’, played by Oyelowo.
Harry is sent to Mexico by the pharmaceutical company he works for, setting the stage for a wild adventure. The plot quickly escalates into a chaotic caper involving drugs, a Mexican cartel, kidnapping, and endless double-crossing.
From Fake Kidnapping to Real Trouble
The story takes a sharp turn when Harry discovers he is about to lose his job in a corporate merger and that his wife plans to leave him. In a desperate move, he decides to fake his own kidnapping.
He calls his bosses, Richard and Elaine, played by Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron, claiming his captors demand a $5 million ransom for his release. However, the situation spirals out of control as a cocktail of back-stabbing, extortion, and murderous plans takes hold, pulling everyone deeper into the chaos.
A Puzzling Critical Reception
Despite its stellar cast, Gringo failed to impress critics upon its initial release in 2018. Filmed in Australia and the United States, the movie was met with poor reviews and even poorer box office takings, leading to it being pulled from most theatres on its third weekend.
This cold reception has left many film fans utterly puzzled, with some taking to platforms like Rotten Tomatoes to share their more positive views. One fan noted the film was "in the same genre" as Guy Ritchie’s classic, praising it for being "sharp, with good dialogue and believable. Not sure what some of the bad reviews are about. Well worth a look."
Other supporters have been equally vocal. "Wow, these reviews are awful. It was a fun action-packed comedy that some of you took a little too seriously," one viewer proclaimed. Another raved, calling it their "favourite movie of all time."
Gringo airs on BBC2 at 11pm tonight, Friday, November 14. For eagle-eyed viewers, there's an added bonus: a chance to spot a young Paris Jackson in her first film role as the wild child named Nelly.
