A Notorious Gentleman: Murder is a Messy Business

Is it worth the watch?

If you like movies where men in suits sit in dimly lit rooms and talk about morality while secretly clutching a dagger behind their backs, you will probably dig this. If you need explosions or a fast pace to keep your brain from turning off, just skip it. It is a slow burn that smells like old library books and regret.

The whole thing hinges on a lawyer thinking he is the smartest person in the room. He usually isn't. Watching his smug face slowly crumble as his 'perfect' plan starts to show cracks is the best part of the experience.

The vibe is... specific

The pacing here is, uh, let’s call it deliberate. Sometimes scenes just sit there, staring at you, waiting for something to happen. It reminds me a bit of the suffocating tension in The Sixth Sense, though obviously without the ghosts or the big budget. This movie isn't trying to scare you, it’s trying to wear you down.

There is a moment near the middle involving a telephone that goes on way too long. The actor just stares at the receiver like it might start screaming. It’s awkward. It’s also kind of brilliant in a weird, unintentional way.

Small things I noticed

• The lighting in the office scenes makes everyone look like they haven't slept in a week.
• The supporting cast seems to have been told to stand perfectly still at all times.
• The dialogue is stiff enough to poke an eye out.
• There is a hat that appears in three different scenes, and I am 90% sure it’s the same hat.

Honestly, the movie gets better once it stops trying to be a proper thriller and just leans into the absurdity of the lawyer’s ego. It’s not as punchy as Desperate Courage, but it has a certain grimy charm.

Is it a classic? Not by a long shot. But I found myself rooting for the mess, which is probably the point. It’s a movie that doesn't quite know what it wants to be, and I kind of respect that. 🕵️‍♂️