Between ‘MobLand’ and ‘The Gentlemen,’ Guy Ritchie Is Coming for Taylor Sheridan’s TV Crown
MobLand is stunning to many with its clever dialogue and the complex underworld it creates. Add to that a stellar cast including acting legends such as Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy, and Paddy Considine, and we can see why this is taking over people’s lives currently. However, considering this comes from the genius director Guy Ritchie, we shouldn’t be surprised. There are very few in the industry whose name commands as much respect and recognition as the Snatch director, and he is one of the few British directors to receive mainstream global love while keeping most of his films set in England.
However, this comes after The Gentlemen also gained praise and attention when it was turned into a TV show, following the original film starring Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant. Considering this is Ritchie’s second hit in a row in TV, some may begin to wonder if he might be on course not just to become the next Taylor Sheridan, but to overtake him. While the creator of Yellowstone and all its prequels is known as one of the greatest TV show creators/showrunners/writers of all time, certainly the most prolific at the moment, Ritchie may arguably have an advantage over Sheridan in terms of how adaptable the Brit’s style is to TV. Yet, they both have similarities and differences that will keep fans debating for a long time over who they prefer.
Guy Ritchie and Taylor Sheridan Both Set Their Projects Close to Home
Often, if you ask a successful storyteller what their secret is, one of the many tips they will tell you is to write what you know, and Ritchie and Sheridan follow this almost religiously. Many of Sheridan’s shows take place in rural locations, such as Tulsa King, which literally removes Dwight (Sylvester Stallone) and the audience from urban life in the first episode, and the Yellowstone universe. This is most likely due to his childhood in Texas where he learned how to cowboy from his mother. Similarly, both of Ritchie’s shows and most of his films take place in the seedy underbelly of London, which Ritchie grew up near, and he heard stories about the infamous Kray twins because of his proximity, which the director admitted greatly influenced him.
However, this is where the similarities between their settings and plots end. Due to the rural location in which Sheridan typically sets his projects in, they often focus on themes of family, whereas Ritchie’s, set in urban areas, focus on examining the differences in class and the elite, along with the morality of crime. One could argue that Sheridan’s shows such as Landman and Tulsa King also deal with crime and its consequences, but the nature of the crimes is wholly different and normally on a grander scale linked to the idea of a simple way of life being taken away, while Ritchie’s projects never expect a simple life from the beginning.
Guy Ritchie and Sheridan Take Thoroughly Different Approaches to Their Writing Styles
It is always fascinating to hear writers talk about how they craft narratives. In the past, Sheridan has said that he is allergic “to exposition” and tries to find the simplest plots so he can focus on character. When we look at his work, this is clear as day, as most characters don’t speak in long, meandering speeches, but in blunt, short dialogue that gets to the point, such as Dwight in Tulsa King, and John (Kevin Costner) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) in Yellowstone. In contrast, Ritchie is famous for his long monologues that either set the scene or explain something to the audience, such as explaining the poker game in Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, or most of Hugh Grant’s dialogue in The Gentlemen. Additionally, Ritchie’s plots are always complicated, with multiple moving pieces as seen currently in MobLand as different families and family members maneuver for power, but his quick and sharp dialogue and Cockney rhyming slang keep a fast pace so that we get through this exposition in a way that is stylish, engaging, and builds out the world around us.
Guy Ritchie’s Style and Pop Culture Fame Fits Perfectly Into Television
Guy Ritchie has such a trademark style, like Quentin Tarantino, that he is instantly recognizable to even the most casual audience member. In theory, this would make it easier for him to accelerate his progress in the TV industry, as studios will surely be desperate to attach his name to a project of theirs, especially with his first two shows being successes. It helps also that although Ritchie has a distinct style, a show like MobLand doesn’t put Ritchie solely at the helm, with showrunner Ronan Bennett also contributing a large part to the story. For those who don’t like Ritchie’s distinct style of dialogue or storytelling, this offers a lighter approach while still embracing the themes and storytelling style that Ritchie is known for.
Furthermore, while Guy Ritchie has excelled in film, his style is arguably more suited to TV. Ritchie’s projects are typically character-focused, and the complicated plots are something you almost don’t have to follow. You just need to enjoy the gritty world he creates and the characters that exist within it. Notably, MobLand has had complexity in its narrative, but not to the point you are confused, which is most likely due to the fact it has more space to breathe and for the audience to take in where the characters are on the chess board.
If you love Taylor Sheridan’s work and refuse to even admit Guy Ritchie could take his crown, that is fair enough. Sheridan is a titan of the industry. However, don’t be surprised if you are eventually proven wrong if Ritchie maintains his current pace. With his style adapting to TV, we may see a renaissance from the director, who doesn’t necessarily need a renaissance, but may be breaching into a new realm of ideas. Perhaps I am letting my British bias take over, but we’ll be keeping a keen eye on Ritchie and Sheridan in the years to come.
