“Duchess” is a movie directed by Neil Marshall starring Charlotte Kirk. With Philip Winchester, Colm Meaney and Stephanie Beacham.
Are you on the hunt for a comedic action thriller sprinkled with mafia gang elements? “Duchess” brings these well-trodden themes to the table, but this time with a twist: a female lead. Charlotte Kirk, portrayed by Scarlett Monaghan, steps into the spotlight.
“Duchess” is a film that attempts to encapsulate the essence of Guy Ritchie’s early works. It features gangsters, a diamond heist plot, a sprinkling of humor, and is set in the gritty, less privileged neighborhoods of London. The twist? The central character is a woman. However, while the aesthetic ambition mirrors Ritchie’s style, the execution falls significantly short. The film lacks the vigor and finesse that hallmark Ritchie’s movies.
Plot Summary
After a woman suffers a brutal beating, she sets out on a path of vengeance. Her quest for retribution entangles her in a web of diamond trafficking and small-time London mobsters.
About the Film
“Duchess” is a film that feels made without a genuine sense of purpose. Aware of its lack of originality, it leans heavily on clichés in an attempt to get by, ultimately becoming so riddled with these tropes that it almost parodies itself without fully committing to satire.
The script fails to engage, the action scenes lack punch, and the characters come off as unconvincing. From its inception, the film seems to have nothing substantial to convey and lumbers awkwardly toward its conclusion, leaving viewers with the impression that it was never meant to be liked.
The performances from the actors are subpar, hampered by weak dialogues and scenes devoid of dramatic impact. The director appears disconnected from the plot, the scriptwriter seemingly uninspired, and the technical crew can do little to salvage the project.
Our Verdict
“Duchess” is a disappointing endeavor, devoid of the chemistry and spark needed to make it memorable. In its desperate attempt to emulate the films of Guy Ritchie, it ultimately falls flat, lacking the essential qualities that would allow it to stand on its own.
This film, in its quest to mimic the style of Guy Ritchie, ends up missing the mark entirely, failing to capture the essence that makes those films compelling.
