The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)
A new Guy Ritchie movie almost feels inevitable each year; some years, there are even two. Being one of the quickest working directors, the results sometimes reflect his swift pace. The last few years have exhibited this uneven work. In 2023, he came out with one of the bests of that year (The Covenant) and a throw-away moderately fun romp (Operation Fortune). When Guy hits, he can provide some of the most entertaining and well-crafted movies. However, maybe the writer/director’s best quality is that even the misses are still entertaining and have a few head-turning scenes.
The Ministry of Gentlemanly Warfare tells the “true story” of Operation Postmaster and the team of outcasts in the British military performing the mission. To answer the Nazi’s U-boats stopping supplies and the Americans from crossing the Atlantic, Winston Churchill determines that practical measures will not be due. Instead, he turns to a man who would later inspire Ian Flemings’ James Bond. This man is Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill) and his team of jubilant characters who seem to never miss a shot. The film’s Jazzy soundtrack propels the action through numerous missions where they kill a lot of Nazis, with the ultimate goal of neutralising the Nazi’s U-boat supply port off the coast of Africa. In the port are undercover operatives Majorie Stewart (Eiza Gonzalez) and Heron, played by the man with the great voice from Dune, Babs Olusanmokun. The real-life actress Stewart works on wooing the head Nazi. At the same time, the successful businessman, Babs, uses a party and some explosives to neutralise the Nazi soldiers stationed at the port.
Guy Ritchie takes a much more fantastical and fun route of telling this "true story," than a gritty and measured experience. While watching, viewers will never believe it unfolded like it is portrayed in real life. This lowers the stakes of what is on screen but amps the fun and quirks. While Tarantino proved you can juggle these tones to significant effect in Inglorious Bastards, this does not manage the high wire act nearly as effectively as the fellow Nazi killing film.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is as humorous and frolic as expected. Still, it would have been more emotionally compelling if the absurdity had been dialled down and a more grounded approach had been taken (More The Covenant and less Operation Fortune). The action is also thrilling sometimes, with some set pieces you will remember tomorrow. However, the outcome is never doubted due to the tone on screen, which results in a lack of suspense. The audience will never feel the characters are in real peril, which dulls down any fun later in the movie as it becomes more of the same. While this is not one of Guy’s better films. Still, to the movie maker's credit, his misses are entertaining and don’t fill anyone with regret for going along to the cinema.
REEL DIALOGUE: Nazis - representing evil in this world
One thing that this film opens the door to the discussion on is the story of good versus evil, why Nazis still represent everything wrong in humanity and how we need a saviour figure.
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
Amongst the absurdity of this ‘true story’, one thing continues to stand out… Nazis represent evil. Even as the decades move on and different atrocities have occurred in the world, these Axis forces continue to personify all that is wrong in the world. Yet, throughout human history, there is always a battle for the hearts of humanity.
Even though God does not get a mention in the storyline, it is hard to miss the direct connection between the overarching narrative of the Bible and the ongoing battle between good and evil. Guy Ritchie may not credit any biblical influence on his writing. Still, the overt connection between the two is not a stretch. Nazis do represent evil, but the true struggle is found in the heart of every person.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Roman 12:21
For those who are skeptical, the recommendation would be to pick up the Bible and see how evil has been defeated. Yet, the battle wages on in this world, and the answer isn’t found in Gus March-Phillips or James Bond; instead, the solution to evil is found in Jesus' work and sacrifice.
