RocknRolla Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

London gangsters, a Russian mobster, and a junkie rockstar all fight over a lucky painting, while also trying to figure out who’s ratting everyone out to the cops.

🍿 RocknRolla: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Crooked Land Deals and Lucky Paintings

Lenny Cole, a powerful London mob boss, controls real estate deals, facilitating transactions for Uri Omovich, a Russian developer. As a sign of good faith, Uri loans Lenny a valuable “lucky” painting. This painting soon gets stolen, setting off a chain of events affecting multiple players in London’s underworld.

The Wild Bunch and a Double Cross

The Wild Bunch, a trio of petty criminals including One Two and Mumbles, seize an opportunity to steal money from Uri, aided by inside information from Stella, Uri’s accountant. This sets them on a collision course with Lenny and Uri as they try to navigate the consequences of their actions.

Johnny Quid’s Mysterious Role

Johnny Quid, a drug-addled rock star and Lenny’s stepson, is presumed dead but resurfaces, connected to the stolen painting. His involvement becomes a key element in unraveling the deceit and double-crosses that permeate the story, revealing the deeper connections within the London criminal network.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• One Two (Gerard Butler): A resourceful and somewhat unlucky small-time criminal who leads the Wild Bunch and gets entangled in a web of crime and double-crosses.
• Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson): A powerful London mob boss who controls the real estate market through corruption and intimidation.
• Archy (Mark Strong): Lenny Cole’s dependable and pragmatic right-hand man, who narrates the story and has his own moral code.
• Stella (Thandiwe Newton): A cunning and alluring accountant who plays multiple sides to her advantage in the criminal underworld.
• Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell): A drug-addled rock star and Lenny Cole’s stepson, who is the key to unraveling the film’s central mystery involving a stolen painting.
• Mumbles (Idris Elba): One Two’s reliable and street-smart partner in crime, who is part of the Wild Bunch.
• Uri Omovich (Karel Roden): A wealthy Russian developer whose crooked land deal sets off a chain of events that engulfs the London underworld.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Johnny Quid: “Oh, beauty is a beguiling call to death and I’m addicted to the sweet pitch of its siren.” – Johnny Quid’s philosophical musings on life and addiction, delivered during a drug-induced haze, encapsulate his rock and roll persona.
• Johnny Quid: “That that starts sweet ends bitter, and that which starts bitter ends sweet.” – Further expressing his views on life, using cigarette packets to highlight the truth and lies of life.
• Archy: “There’s no money in poetry.” – Archy’s pragmatic dismissal of artistic pursuits underscores the film’s cynical view of the London underworld.
• One Two: “People ask the question, what is a RocknRolla? I tell ’em – it’s not about drums, drugs, and hospital drips, oh no. There’s more to it than that. A RocknRolla… I mean, he’s someone different. Why? Because a real RocknRolla wants it all.” – Opening scene of the movie, introducing his character and his role as a RocknRolla in the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,700,626
• Worldwide Gross: $25,742,207

💥 RocknRolla Reviews

Personal Review

RocknRolla is a wild ride! I loved the fast-paced action and the quirky characters. Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid steals every scene he’s in. The whole movie had me on the edge of my seat, trying to keep up with all the twists and turns. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack, which was a perfect match for the movie’s energy and I need to get a poster for my room. Definitely one of my favorite Guy Ritchie films!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Guy Ritchie’s previous films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch”
  • “Viewers who enjoy British gangster movies with dark humor”
  • “Those who appreciate ensemble casts and intricate, fast-paced plots”
  • “People interested in crime thrillers with a rock and roll edge”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Brief references to homophobia”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Ritchie is comfortable back on the shady London manor that is at the heart of RocknRolla. RocknRolla is more polished than both Lock, Stock and Snatch; with a far better cast of actors able to fully realise the zippy structure and material of the piece.
• BBC: “If you’ve enjoyed Ritchie’s previous gangster capers, you’ll find plenty to like here: snappy dialogue, convoluted plotting, and a cast of colourful characters. But it lacks the originality and wit of his early work.
• IGN: “RocknRolla is a fun, stylish, and energetic crime caper. While it may not reach the heights of Snatch, it’s a welcome return to form for Guy Ritchie and a thoroughly entertaining ride.

Audience Reactions

Toby Kebbell’s performance as Johnny Quid was outstanding and captivating.: Most viewers praised the film’s energy, witty dialogue, and excellent performances.

The soundtrack perfectly complemented the movie’s fast-paced and edgy style.: Fans loved the blend of rock and electronic music that underscored the action.

Overall Consensus: A fun and stylish gangster film with great performances and a killer soundtrack, though some found the plot convoluted.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Thandiwe Newton initially refused to kiss Gerard Butler during their sex scene due to his throat infection. Guy Ritchie cleverly re-wrote it into a montage.”
• “Guy Ritchie makes a cameo appearance as the writer.”
• “The film’s title is a play on the term ‘Rock and Roller’, embodying someone who lives a hedonistic, drug-fueled lifestyle.”

🖥️ How to Watch RocknRolla?

RocknRolla is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where it can be rented or purchased. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You can also find it for sale on physical media (Blu-ray, DVD) through retailers like Amazon. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed RocknRolla, you might like these similar films:

• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998): Another Guy Ritchie crime caper with a complex plot, witty dialogue, and colorful characters in the London underworld.
• Snatch (2000): A fast-paced, stylized crime film also directed by Guy Ritchie, featuring interconnected storylines and a quirky ensemble cast.
• Layer Cake (2004): A British crime thriller with a sophisticated protagonist navigating the treacherous world of drug dealing, similar in tone and style.
• The Gentlemen (2019): Guy Ritchie returns to the gangster genre with this stylish and humorous film about a drug lord trying to sell his empire.

🛒 RocknRolla Related Products

• RocknRolla [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of the film, perfect for enjoying the visual style and intense action sequences in the best possible quality.
• RocknRolla Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the film’s iconic imagery and style.
• RocknRolla T-Shirt – Wild Bunch: Premium cotton t-shirt featuring the ‘Wild Bunch’ crew, One Two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob. Classic crew neck design.
• RocknRolla: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [CD]: The complete soundtrack on CD features iconic tracks from The Clash, Black Strobe, and more, capturing the film’s gritty and energetic vibe.

🎧 Soundtrack

RocknRolla features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’m a Man” – performed by Black Strobe
• “The Trip” – performed by Donovan
• “Bankrobber” – performed by The Clash
• “Ruse” – performed by The Subways
• “People are Strange” – performed by The Doors

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

RocknRolla – Handsome Bob

Tom Hardy is at his charming best, and he’s got great chemistry with his co-stars. If you’re a fan of the movie, or just a fan of Tom Hardy, you’ll want to check this out.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VqrYAcljRZo

Rock’n’Rolla: The Archie Slap

Are you ready for a gut-busting laugh? This video will give you exactly that.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9AKGT8OZxk4

✨ Rate