Travis Simpkins: Gambit (2012): Cameron Diaz and a Fake Monet

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Gambit (2012): Cameron Diaz and a Fake Monet

Directed by Michael Hoffman, and written by Joel and Ethan Coen, Gambit (2012) received dismissive reviews upon it's release… but is actually quite good in many regards. In terms of Art Crime films, it is certainly one of the better comedic efforts in recent years, with genuinely funny moments running throughout. The story concerns a pushover British curator who schemes to bilk his domineering boss, a wealthy collector of Impressionistic paintings, out of 12 million pounds by selling him a fake Monet. With the help of a Texas Rodeo queen posing as the painting's owner and a talented forger recreating the work, he may just pull it off… with some major bumblings along the way. The reproductions of artwork are actually pretty decent by movie standards. The forger has some interesting scenes in which he recreates a Jackson Pollock action painting and a Neoclassical David masterpiece, but Claude Monet is the star artist… particularly his colorful haystack works. Cameron Diaz steals the show as the free-spirited sexy Texan, PJ Puznowski. Colin Firth is good as the hapless curator. Alan Rickman is great as the art-loving bully. The supporting cast is good as well, including Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman.