Respond to these rapid questions in our Gringo quiz and we will tell you which Gringo character you are. Play it now.
“Gringo” could be described as a “pleasant surprise,” but that might be a stretch. Despite the fact that it is a comedic thriller, it is rife with violent scenes of shocking nastiness, including an almost-accidental depiction of a toe amputation that was edited in just the right moment. It’s not the content that makes this movie “pleasant,” but rather the fact that it’s getting the kind of theatrical release that industry experts and want tobe industry experts (talk about making a distinction that doesn’t make a difference these days) refer to as a “dumping.” It’s also a largely entertaining watch, a corporate crime story with consistent tartness and a stellar cast.
Because of its talented cast, the film’s overall decentness comes as less of a surprise than it would otherwise be. After all, how can you go wrong with a cast that includes David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton, Joel Edgerton, and Sharlto Copley? If you’ve seen enough movies, you’re probably aware that a strong cast does not always imply a successful production. And if you haven’t seen “Hardcore Henry,” I will not accept you raising an eyebrow when I mention Sharlto Copley as being a member of a “good cast” in this article. In any case, all of these luminaries, as well as supporting players ranging from Alan Ruck to Paris Jackson, deliver outstanding performances (yeah, that Paris Jackson).
Harold, played by David Oyelowo, is a mid-level executive at a Chicago pharmaceutical company whose co-president happens to be his supposed best friend, Richard (Tom Edgerton), whom he’s known since they were in college. Early in the film, Harold’s accountant Stu (Bashir Salahuddin, who makes a lasting impression in a brief role) warns his client and friend that Harold is about to have the rug pulled out from under him, both personally and professionally. In response to Harold’s interrogation, Richard responds with a ridiculous pseudo-paraphrase about carrots and bananas. Richard and Elaine (Theron), the company’s co-president and a relentless climber with ice-water for blood who not only has no qualms about flaunting her secondary sexual characteristics for career gain but may in fact have no idea what the word “compunction” even means, accompany Harold on one of his periodic trips to Mexico, where the company has a plant.
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That plant is responsible for the production of marijuana in pill form. This is a highly sought-after formula, and at the same time that Harold and company are in Mexico City, a guitar-shop loser (Harry Treadaway) arrives with his aptly named girlfriend Sunny (Amanda Seyfried), who is completely unaware of what’s going on.
Gringo Quiz
As it turns out, Harold’s accountant is not only incorrect, he is also only aware of a portion of the larger, more serious picture. For the purpose of raising much-needed funds, Richard and Elaine have been offloading a portion of their inventory to a Mexican drug cartel. It’s their intention to merge with another company now that they’ve found a partner. It is Sanchez (Hernán Mendoza), the plant manager from Mexico, who explains that the “Black Panther,” the cartel’s leader, is not someone who can simply be cut off without a fight. Richard and Elaine, on the other hand, are less than sympathetic. Elaine inquires about the availability of condoms in Mexico after taking note of the numerous photographs of children on his wall. That describes the kind of woman she is.
Also, you will find out which character are you in this Gringo quiz.
Sanchez goes to the Panther, who first tests him on his knowledge of the best Beatles album before getting to work on his problem. The company’s operations are not successful. As for Harold, whose thumb just so happens to be the only one that can open the plant vault that contains the formula for the wonder drug, once he realizes how much he’s being used as a pawn, he decides to turn the tables on his captors. In the beginning, this does not go as planned.
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More plot points than are absolutely necessary would be spoilerish in a spiteful way, especially considering the explosive start to the film. To summarize, the complications include Harold’s wife (Thandie Newton), who is keeping a secret, and Richard’s brother Mitch (Copley), a reformed mercenary who is not completely immune to being tempted back into corruption. A number of familiar elements, including the toe business and the drug cartel leader who enjoys pop culture, may raise the suspicion that this film, written by Anthony Tambakis and Matthew Stone from a story written and directed by Stone, is some sort of Coen/Tarantino pastiche. As it turns out, Stone worked on both “Intolerable Cruelty” and “Destiny Turns on the Radio” (what, you don’t remember Quentin Tarantino’s big acting debut?) with Tarantino’s production company. As a result, it would not be surprising to find an affinity. “Gringo,” directed by Nash Edgerton, on the other hand, establishes a distinct tone and maintains it throughout. As the film progresses into the fantastical, it actually becomes more predictable, both in terms of plot twists and camera setups—you can tell when Edgerton frames a shot so that a character will be “unexpectedly” slammed by a car is taking place. By this point, the film has amassed enough interest and goodwill that it isn’t too difficult to watch. Even though I was a little irritated by a certain amount of withholding at the conclusion, I found the overall experience of “Gringo” to be refreshingly different.Also, you must try to play this Gringo quiz.
For more personality quizzes check this: Beirut Quiz.
