🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Michael Hoffman
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (53K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A sophisticated British art dealer recruits a Texas rodeo queen to sell a fake Monet to his awful boss, but everyone just ends up running around London in their underwear and somehow making money.
🍿 Gambit: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Setting the Stage
Harry Deane, a sophisticated art curator, endures constant humiliation at the hands of his boorish boss, Lord Lionel Shabandar. Driven to revenge, Harry devises a plan to con Shabandar into purchasing a fake Monet painting. The plan is complex, requiring a skilled forger and a convincing seller.

Enter PJ Puznowski
Harry recruits PJ Puznowski, a lively Texas rodeo queen, believing her connection to a WWII hero whose company liberated stolen art will lend credibility to the scheme. PJ’s eccentric personality and lack of art knowledge contrast sharply with Harry’s refined demeanor, creating comedic tension. They meet in Texas and discuss the plan.

The Heist Begins
Harry and PJ attempt to execute their plan, but complications arise at every turn. PJ’s unpredictable behavior and Harry’s increasingly desperate measures lead to chaotic situations, particularly during their stay at the Savoy Hotel. Shabandar’s own cunning and the interference of rival art collectors further jeopardize the operation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Harry Deane (Colin Firth): An art curator seeking revenge on his abusive boss by conning him into buying a fake Monet.
- PJ Puznowski (Cameron Diaz): An eccentric Texas rodeo queen recruited to help with the art con.
- Lionel Shabandar (Alan Rickman): The arrogant and abusive art collector who becomes the target of the con.
- The Major (Tom Courtenay): A master art forger who partners with Harry to create the fake Monet.
- Zaidenweber (Stanley Tucci): A German art expert brought in to authenticate the Monet, who ultimately remains loyal to Shabandar.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lionel Shabandar: “And where are you staying?” – Lionel is questioning PJ about her accommodations, displaying his usual condescending attitude.
- PJ Puznowski: “Er, well, one of them big hotels downtown. I can’t remember the name of it. You remember, Harry?” – PJ is playing the part of a simple Texan, pretending not to recall the name of the luxurious hotel.
- Harry Deane: “Connaught.” – Harry provides the name of the hotel PJ is staying, showcasing his knowledge.
- PJ Puznowski: “Me neither.” – PJ continues her act of being unsophisticated, feigning ignorance even after Harry’s answer.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $10,200,000
💥 Gambit Reviews
Personal Review
I was excited to see Colin Firth and Alan Rickman in a comedy, but ‘Gambit’ was a letdown. The humor felt forced, and the plot was all over the place. I did chuckle at the hotel scenes with Firth running around without pants, but that wasn’t enough to save the movie. I expected so much more from a Coen brothers script, but this felt uninspired and dated. Cameron Diaz tried her best, but her character didn’t quite land, and Alan Rickman was wasted. Overall, a forgettable film.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Colin Firth and Alan Rickman”
- “Viewers who enjoy light, quirky comedies”
- “People interested in art heist films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Suggestive humor”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “”Gambit” wastes a talented cast on a derivative and largely mirthless comedy that is neither clever nor funny, proving revenge is a dish best served…unmade.
- Empire Magazine: “Despite an impressive cast list, this Coen Brothers-scripted remake of the 1966 Michael Caine caper simply never gels. The jokes mostly fall flat, and the whole affair feels strangely dated.
- The Guardian: “Gambit squanders its talent, delivering a series of predictable gags and stereotypes. Even the Coen brothers’ writing feels uninspired, making this a caper that fails to captivate.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers found the slapstick humor and silly situations amusing, especially Colin Firth’s physical comedy.: The film had some laugh-out-loud moments, but opinions differed greatly on the overall humor.
Many fans appreciated Alan Rickman’s performance, even though they felt his talent was underutilized.: Rickman always brings a certain charm to his roles, even when the movie isn’t great.
Overall Consensus: Overall, ‘Gambit’ is considered a disappointing comedy, with critics and audiences alike finding the humor lacking and the plot uninspired. The talented cast couldn’t elevate the film to meet expectations.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, and Sir Ben Kingsley were originally considered for the roles of Harry Deane, P.J. Puznowski, and Lionel Shabandar, respectively.”
- “The film is a remake of the 1966 movie of the same name starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine.”
- “The screenplay was written by Joel and Ethan Coen, known for their quirky and dark humor, although the final film’s tone differs from their typical style.”
🖥️ How to Watch Gambit?
Gambit (2012) is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable VOD availability. As of [Date], it is not available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Gambit, you might like these similar films:
- The Pink Panther (1963): Shares a similar slapstick comedic style and involves art-related mishaps.
- How to Steal a Million (1966): A charming heist film centered around art forgery and a clever scheme.
- Headhunters (2011): A more modern, suspenseful thriller with dark humor and art theft as a central theme.
- The Ladykillers (2004): Directed by Coen Brothers and shares a quirky dark humor.
🛒 Gambit Related Products
- Monet: The Masterpieces: A beautifully illustrated book showcasing Monet’s most iconic works, including the ‘Haystacks’ series, allowing fans to appreciate the art featured in the movie.
- Colin Firth Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray collection featuring some of Colin Firth’s most iconic films, offering fans a chance to enjoy more of his acting range and talent.
- Playing Cards – Texas Theme: A deck of playing cards with a stylish Texas theme to honor the rodeo queen’s influence in the movie.
- Best of Alan Rickman [DVD]: A collection of some of Alan Rickman’s greatest performances, displaying his range and talents throughout his incredible career.
🎧 Soundtrack
Gambit features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Deep In The Heart Of Texas” – performed by Moe Bandy
- “Deep In The Heart Of Texas” – performed by Cameron Diaz
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Gambit (2012) is a remake of the 1966 film of the same name starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine.
The screenplay for Gambit (2012) was written by Joel and Ethan Coen, known for their quirky and often dark comedies.
Gambit (2012) was filmed on location in London, England, and in Texas, United States.
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