Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

RocknRolla (2008) Written and Directed by Guy Richie

"People ask the question... what's a RocknRolla? And I tell 'em - it's not about drugs, drums, and hospital drips, oh no. There's more there than that, my friend. We all like a bit of the good life - some the money, some the drugs, other the sex game, the glamour, or the fame. But a RocknRolla, oh, he's different. Why? Because a real RocknRolla wants the f*cking lot."  Archie.

One Two (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idras Elba) and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) are the Wild Bunch, a rough and ready group of small time thugs with aspirations of respectability. 

As the movie starts, they are trying to break into the Real Estate business.  However, this is where the real criminals operate.  To wit, they have to borrow money for their project from Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson).  Then, their variances from the planning commission, a shoo-in a week before, do not come through.  They lose the property (to Lenny) and end up owing two million (to Lenny) who then calls in a favor or two because the Councilman (Jimmy Mistiry) owes his soul (to Lenny) and the Wild Bunch's deal is now a going concern paying big bucks (to Lenny).

Lenny is getting in bed with a Russian, Uri (Karel Rodan) who needs Lenny's expertise in London's Real Estate scheming.  The deal is seven million.  That is just Lenny's cut.

However, Lenny's accountant, the scary talented, and frightfully pretty Stella (Thandie Newton) has a few ideas, and hires the Wild Bunch to steal Uri's payment to Lenny.  Now One Two and Mumbles have the money to pay Lenny, his own money.

Now, one of the ways that Lenny keeps people bought is he is lavish with the gifts.  Yet when he does business with Uri, Uri gives him his lucky painting, a masterpiece, to hold onto until the deal goes through.  Same thing Lenny does, but does Lenny recognize it?  No.  Does the painting get stolen from Lenny's?  Yes.  Now things are getting complicated.

Here's a further complication; Bob is going up the river for five years.  There is an informer in the underground, and no one knows who it is.  But Bob is looking at five years, starting tomorrow.  One Two takes him out for an evening of twin hookers and booze, but Bob confesses that what he really wants is One Two.  One Two freaks...but then pulls himself together.  Then asks, "W'what exactly is it...that ya wanta...do ta me then...bob?"  Cut scene.

Now Lenny's right hand Archie (Mark Strong) is running around trying to find out where that painting has gone.  In Snatch, they threatened to feed people to the pigs.  Here, it's crayfish.  And a lead emerges...Lenny's stepson, Johnny Quid, hard rocking, hard drugging Rocknrolla.  Recently deceased.

Uri makes arrangements for another 7M Euros to be delivered.  This time, instead of by a couple of accountants by battle scarred veterans of the Russian mafia.  And the Wild Bunch does it again.  Not as simply, but still, they get the money.  Here is a piece of advice.  If you are ever escaping from the Russian mafia, do not turn around and do that thing where you mimic fellatio with your tongue poking you cheek.  It's tacky, and you may come to regret it later.

Now the money crunch is getting tight all the way around.  Uri wants his painting back; because he thinks the thefts are related to his lack of luck.  Lenny is trying to put him off, and get the money, and get the councilor his cash, so the deal can go through.  He is trying to find Johnny Quid, through his managers, Roman (Jeremy Piven) and Mickey (Ludacris).  And if they want to keep their clubs open, they will produce.

Now the scene is set...almost.  There is a masterpiece somewhere in London in the possession of the most mendacious crack head to ever rock an audience.  This painting is like the cork that holds the genie in.  If they unseat that cork, everyone gets what they wish for.  Only one group knows it is missing.  They are tearing through everything looking for it.  Uri is looking for his money, and to see how Lenny might be taking one on his leg.  And Johnny has no idea how much trouble he has caused.  There are sex parties, and car crashes, and chases, and home invasions, and marriage proposals.  It is a wild ride.

The plot, which is as convoluted as a snake breeding ball, makes a major portion of the movie.  Richie loves keeping things tripping along, or racing downhill in a hurricane.  He has two speeds, fast, and a cheetah on Meth.  Add to that the actors, and their characters, and you have an unbeatable mix.

One Two (Gerard Butler) Clever, tough, and honorable within his own code, One Two has too much, too much debt, too many robberies, and too many people who want to sleep with him; Stella, and Bob.
One Two: Well what do you want?
Stella: You.
One Two: Well you had better come in then.

Mumbles (Idris Elba) Big, black, tough, and solid, he backs up One Two.  Not stupid, not violent, he is sure and competent.
"If I could be half the human being Bob is at the cost of being a poof, I'd have to think about it. Not for very long, but I'd have to pause."

Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) Calm, confident, decent, trustworthy...of course he's gay!  His little confession stirs the cauldron at the Wild Bunch, but when he doesn't go to prison, poor One Two doesn't know what the count is!

One Two: Let's go get those papers from your boyfriend. Drop me off on the way. I'm going to bed.
Handsome Bob: Can I come? (SLAP!)

Lenny Cole:  (Tom Wilkinson) The undisputed King of the Underworld.  He has connections like no one else.  He is the one who worked the miracle that got Tom out of prison.  He is greedy, conniving and manipulative, and those are his good points.
"Archie, slap him, send him to school, 'cause I can't take no more of this."

Johnny Quid.  (Toby Kebbell)  Lenny's stepson, and greatest disappointment.  At least that is what he is shooting for.  An innate rabble rouser, he is a rocker, a rebel, and rogue.  He is self destructive, and makes damn sure that his is not the only life he is wrecking.  The sower of chaos, see how it follows in his wake.
Johnny Quid: You see that pack of Virginia killing sticks on the end of the piano?

Pete: Yes.
Johnny Quid: All you need to know about life is retained in those four walls. You will notice that one of your personalities is seduced by the illusions of grandeur - the gold packet of king size with a regal insignia, an attractive implication towards grandeur and wealth, the subtle suggestion that cigarettes are indeed your royal and loyal friends, and that, Pete, is a lie.
Johnny Quid: Your other personality is trying to draw your attention to the flip side of the discussion, written in boring bold black and white, it's a statement that these neat little sergeants of death and in fact trying to kill you and that, Pete, is the truth.
Johnny Quid: Oh, beauty is a beguiling call to death and I'm addicted to the sweet pitch of its siren.
Johnny Quid: That that starts sweet ends bitter, and that which starts bitter ends sweet.
Johnny Quid: That is why you and I love the drugs and that is also why I cannot give that painting back. Now please, pass me a light.

There are a dozen other bit parts that are brilliant, and wickedly clever.  Guy Richie is like Emeril Lagasse.  He likes lots of ingredients, mix them together, turn up the heat, then BAM! Throw in a twist to spice things up.  And it is a recipe for a great movie.  You definitely have to check this out.

Guy Richie Films
Snatch

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

Revolver

Gay Movies:

La Mission***Burnt Money***8: The Mormon Propo$ition***In The Flesh***The Sensei***The 24th Day***Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon***ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction***East Side Story***Dorian Blues***Creatures From the Pink Lagoon***Satyricon***Ice Men***Richard O'Briens Rocky Horror Tribute Show***Prom Queen***The Kids are All Right***Between Love and Goodbye***The Mudge Boy***That Man: Peter Berlin***A Single Man***Almost Normal***Outing Riley***Outrage!***Law of Desire***Love is the Devil***Cowboy Junction***Horror in the Wind***Bedrooms and Hallways***Cut Sleeve Boys***Big Eden***For A Lost Soldier***Midnight Cowboy***Redwoods***The Massuer***Boy Culture***Breakfast With Scot***The Fluffer***Flesh***Little Ashes***L.I.E. ***Dorian Gray***9 Dead Gay Guys***Shank***I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry***Beautiful Boxer***Bangkok Love Story***Schoolboy Crush***Shelter***Back Soon***Dog Tags***Theft***The Mulligans***The Velvet Goldmine***Swashbuckler***Smoke Signals
***C'Thulhu***Milk***The Picture of Dorian Gray***Brideshead Revisited***Notes on a Scandal***RocknRolla***Mamma Mia!
***Priscillia: Queen of the Desert***The History Boys***Brokeback Mountain***The Broken Hearts Club*** Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims ***Surge of Power ***In & Out ***Mambo Italiano ***Touch of Pink ***To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar ***Wolves of Kromer ***Rocky Horror Picture Show ***Taboo ***Deathtrap 


Gay Themed Series:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Dante's Cove
Hex
Carnivale Season One
Carnivale Season Two
Rome Season One
Rome Season Two
True Blood
True Blood: Season Two
The Book of Daniel: The Complete Series
Torchwood: Children of Earth
Torchwood: Season One


Gay Animation:

Pirate's Booty***Sensitive Pornograph***Loveless: The Complete Series***Loveless: Hope on the Run***Loveless: Soul of Chains***Loveless: Lost and Found***Embracing Love: A Cicada in Winter***Embracing Love: Cherished Spring ***Stonewall & Riot***Drawn Together Movie: The Movie***Drawn Together: Season 2***Drawn Together: Season 3

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age