Today’s quick review: Gambit. To get revenge on his abusive boss (Alan Rickman), art curator Harry Deane (Colin Firth) hatches a plan to sell him a forged Monet for 12 million pounds. Harry recruits PJ Puznowski (Cameron Diaz), a blue collar woman from Texas, to pose as the long-lost painting’s owner. But the plan that seems so simple in Harry’s mind proves to be difficult to accomplish.
Gambit is a crime comedy written by the Coen Brothers. Gambit offers a caper plot, fine comedic performances, and a consistently light tone. The movie follows Harry’s increasingly desperate attempts to stick to the plan in spite of a series of unforeseen obstacles. However, Gambit lacks the substance needed to be more than a popcorn watch.
Gambit is limited in what it tries to achieve. The movie barely reaches an hour and a half, and it is missing the elaborate plot work the Coen Brothers are known for. The jokes are more amusing than funny, the characters are good but not great, and the con itself is fairly simple. But within these constraints, Gambit manages to be an enjoyable diversion for the right kind of viewer.
Give Gambit a shot when you are in the mood for a light crime comedy. Those who are looking for uproarious humor or an intricate plot will be disappointed; those looking for a bit of harmless entertainment will have a good time. For a whodunit of similar merits, check out Flypaper. For another light heist film, check out Going in Style. For a quirkier Coen Brothers comedy, check out O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for charming characters and light comedy.