Alan Rickman plays Lionel Shabandar.
- Year: 2012
- Genre: comedy, dark comedy, criminal
- Director: Michael Goffman
- Cast: Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci
- Опис: An art curator decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss by conning him into buying a fake Monet, but his plan requires the help of an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen.
Plot
Gambit is a light-hearted criminal comedy centered around an attempt at a cunning con that leads to unexpected consequences. The story revolves around Harry Dean (played by Colin Firth), a modest and somewhat unlucky art curator who has long dreamed of getting revenge on his tough and self-centered boss, multimillionaire Lionel Shabandar (played by Alan Rickman). Lionel is the owner of a large corporation, who acts as though the world belongs to him, showing contempt for those who work under him.
Harry devises a clever plan to trick Lionel into purchasing a fake Claude Monet painting for an outrageous sum of money. Harry hopes not only to get rich but also to embarrass his boss, ruining his reputation in the collectors’ circles. To execute the plan, Harry hires a vibrant and energetic woman named PJ Puznowski (Cameron Diaz), a rodeo performer from Texas. She is straightforward, direct, but extremely charismatic. PJ is meant to play the role of a wealthy heiress who allegedly owns the painting.
Harry’s plan seems perfect: Lionel should be enchanted by the story of the painting and convinced of its authenticity. However, the execution of the plan faces unexpected obstacles, as PJ, despite her charm, does not always stick to the script, and Lionel, despite his arrogance, turns out to be quite sharp and observant. Furthermore, Harry begins to realize that he is getting caught up in an emotional chaos that threatens to unravel his carefully constructed plan.
The plot is filled with comedic situations, unexpected twists, and dialogues that reveal the complex but humorous relationships between the characters. Shabandar is flamboyant, self-absorbed, and even a bit grotesque. In Rickman’s portrayal, he embodies a blend of charisma and smugness. His love for luxury and vanity become the objects of mockery, especially in scenes where he poses naked in his lavish penthouse or displays his boundless self-confidence.
The film’s conclusion delivers a true surprise, as all of Harry’s plans are turned upside down. The tricks not only prove to be effective but also change the characters’ lives in unexpected ways. Ultimately, Gambit is a film about how even the most well-thought-out plans can go off-script when unpredictable people, emotions, and one’s own weaknesses come into play.
