Gringo
Film
Review by Kam Williams
Naive
Nerd Abandoned by Boss in Mexico in Madcap Action Comedy
Nerdy
Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) is a loyal employee at Promethium
Pharmaceuticals who has been patiently waiting for his chance to
share in the success from its lucrative sales of medical marijuana in
pill form. Unfortunately, the naive Nigerian immigrant is unaware
that the Chicago-based company's CEO, Richard Rusk (Joel Edgerton),
has no intention of ever giving him a cut in the profits.
Instead,
Richard just fills his head with promises of a lavish lifestyle like
he's seen on rap videos. Furthermore, Harold also has no idea that
his backstabbing boss is having an affair with his wife, Bonnie
(Thandie Newton). Further complicating matters is the fact that
Richard is in a committed relationship with his business partner,
Elaine (Charlize Theron).
The
plot thickens when Harold has to fly with them to Mexico to
supposedly set up a factory. Truth be told, the real purpose of the
trip is to break off relations with a powerful drug cartel run by the
ruthless Juan Miguel Villegas (Carlos Corona).
You
see, Richard wants to go legit and stop selling pills on the black
market. Of course, Villegas is unhappy with this development, so it
isn't long before all hell breaks loose. When the dust settles,
Richard and Elaine make a break for the States while we find Harold
calling company headquarters to say he's been kidnapped and being
held for a $5 million ransom.
Thus
unfolds Gringo a madcap action comedy directed by Nash Edgerton. Nash
assembled an impressive cast which included his brother, Joel,
Oscar-winner Charlize Theron (for Monster), David Oyelowo, Thandie
Newton, Sharlto Copley, Amanda Seyfried, Alan Ruck (Cameron in Ferris
Bueller) and Paris Jackson (Michael's daughter).
Regrettably,
the film's intriguing premise gives way to an overplotted adventure
with far too many characters and sidebars. Are we supposed to care
about the young couple (Seyfried and Harry Treadaway) who cross
Harold's path south of the border? How about Richard's brother, Mitch
(Copley) a former soldier of fortune coaxed out of retirement to
search for Harold?
There's
never a dull moment, though never a deep one either, for the duration
of this hyperbolic homage to incessant overstimulation.
Rated R for sexuality, violence and pervasive profanity
In English, Spanish and French with subtitles
Running time: 110 minutes
Production Studios: Picrow / Denver and Delilah Productions/ Blue-Tongue Films
Distributor: Amazon Studios / STX Entertainment
To see a trailer for Gringo, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-bZLM3I-C0
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