Gambit (2012 film)

Gambit is a 2012 heist comedy film directed by Michael Hoffman from a screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen, starring Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman, Tom Courtenay and Stanley Tucci. It is a remake of the 1966 film of the same name starring Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine.

The film premiered at the Empire Leicester Square in London on 7 November 2012, and was released in the United Kingdom on 21 November by Momentum Pictures. In the United States, Gambit was released in select theaters and through video on demand on 25 April 2014 by CBS Films.

Plot
British art curator Harry Deane decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss Lord Lionel Shabandar conning him into buying a fake Monet (Haystacks at Dusk), to complement the one he already has (Haystacks at Dawn). He teams up with a master art forger, the Major, and travels to Alpine, Texas. He searches for rodeo queen PJ Puznowski, the granddaughter of the sergeant responsible for capturing Hermann Göring in 1945.

Harry explains that PJ's participation will lend authenticity since the Monet was last seen at Carinhall after being plundered by the Nazis. She agrees and the next day the three drive out to PJ's grandmother's mobile home out in the desert. They hang the fake Monet on the wall and take a picture with the painting in the background. The picture is to appear with an article on the rodeo queen that will be published in a magazine that is part of Shabandar's media empire.

Back in London, Harry meets with Shabandar and discusses the photos of PJ and her grandmother, turning the attention to the painting. Shabandar replies that it is a reproduction, based on the fact that it is hanging on the wall of a mobile home in Texas. Harry suggests that they at least check to see if the painting is real or not, because the painting is so rarely reproduced. Shabandar reluctantly agrees, and Harry tries to find PJ to follow up on the matter.

PJ offers the painting to Shabandar for £12 million, but only after arranging to meet him at the Savoy Hotel, which Harry can barely afford. His frustration with PJ grows after she accepts romantic advances from Shabandar. While they are alone, Shabandar tells her that art curator Martin Zaidenweber will replace Harry. PJ meets Zaidenweber and tells him that the painting has been hanging in her house since she was a little girl. When Shabandar opines that Harry is an idiot, Zaidenweber counters that he is a good man with simply a bad eye for art. Back at the hotel, PJ tells Harry that she no longer wants any part in his plan.

The following night, PJ has dinner with Shabandar again. They are stopped by his rival businessman, Akira Takagawa, who has wanted revenge ever since losing to Shabandar in the 1992 auction for the first Haystacks painting. By the time she leaves, Harry has called Zaidenweber and convinced him to abandon his partnership with Shabandar.

Meeting Harry in the courtyard, PJ agrees to take part in the plan once more. When they arrive at Shabandar's masquerade ball, Harry heads to the gallery, counting on her to distract Shabandar while he makes final preparations.

As the inspection is about to begin, Zaidenweber arrives, having lied to Harry and remained loyal to Shabandar. He announces that the painting is real, but suddenly, Harry speaks up and disagrees. To everyone's shock, Harry wipes away paint to reveal the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II underneath. Shabandar announces that PJ will be of no further use to him and tries to re-hire Harry. Harry turns him down, noting his disapproval of the way Shabandar has treated PJ.

Harry and the Major meet with Takagawa and his men. It is revealed that the Major had painted copies for both Dusk and Dawn paintings. Harry had removed the real Dawn painting and switched it with its copy. Takagawa tells Harry that his payment for the real Haystacks at Dawn by Monet, £10 million, has been transferred to his Swiss bank account. Harry and the Major thank Takagawa, and head on their way.

Meanwhile, while PJ goes through security, she finds a painting from Harry as a gift. She smiles, just before boarding the plane. The end of the film shows Harry and the Major walking through the airport talking about Donald Trump's fascination with Picasso.

Cast

 * Cameron Diaz as PJ Puznowski
 * Colin Firth as Harry Deane
 * Alan Rickman as Lord Lionel Shabandar
 * Tom Courtenay as The Major
 * Stanley Tucci as Martin Zaidenweber
 * Cloris Leachman as Grandma
 * Togo Igawa as Takagawa

Development and writing
A remake of Gambit had been mooted for several years. Producer Mike Lobell saw the original film at its London premiere in 1966, and in 1997, Lobell, who was then working at Universal, was looking for a film to remake; he suggested Gambit and Universal approved it. He initially sent the original script to Aaron Sorkin to rewrite it; however, despite being keen to work on the project, the success of Sports Night and more especially The West Wing meant that he could not commit to completing the rewrite. After Sorkin pulled out, Lobell met British producer Andy Paterson, director Anand Tucker and writer Frank Cottrell Boyce. Boyce produced a script moving the story to Japan, but Lobell did not think it was funny enough and decided to move on. Hearing that Joel and Ethan Coen were looking for some rewrite work between films, Lobell gave them the script and they produced a "radical overhaul", moving the story to the United States. Despite having the Coen brothers on board, the project remained in development hell.

Initially, Alexander Payne was in talks to direct it, reuniting with Election star Reese Witherspoon, but was reluctant to work on a script he did not write. Witherspoon was willing to remain on the project, but only if Lobell could get Mike Nichols or Robert Altman to direct. After the success of Gosford Park (2001), Altman was keen to make another film in the United Kingdom, especially as Witherspoon was attached. However, prior to signing on, Altman backed out, feeling that the material was not suitable for him. Nichols was not interested and the project stalled.

In March 2004, Jennifer Aniston was announced as the female lead alongside Ben Kingsley, with Bo Welch directing. After the commercial failure of Welch's 2003 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, Universal lost faith in the project and put it into turnaround. Outside of the studio system, Lobell moved between different financiers in a bid to get the project moving. One group, Alcon Entertainment, had Gerard Butler lined up as Harry Deane, with Richard LaGravenese directing. LaGravenese wanted a script polish, which took a long time, removing a lot of the work the Coen brothers had done. The project was placed on hold again.

The script was well known around Hollywood, and in 2009, Lobell took a call from Roeg Sutherland at CAA. Sutherland knew of a fledgling production company, Crime Scene Pictures, with equity financing from Southeast Asia, who were looking for a marquee project for their new company and felt that Gambit would fit the bill. In 2010, Doug Liman was reportedly considering directing the film. Although initially reluctant to take the project, Lobell persuaded Michael Hoffman to helm the film. In October 2011, Rolfe Kent signed on to compose the score for the film.

Casting
In an interview in September 2008, Colin Firth denied being involved in the remake. Nevertheless, it was confirmed in February 2011 that Firth and Cameron Diaz had been cast in the lead roles. Alan Rickman was added to the cast the following month, with Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman joining in May.

Filming
Principal photography began in London on 5 May 2011. That July, scenes were filmed in and around Carrizozo, Galisteo, Laguna Pueblo, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho and Socorro, in New Mexico, as well as at the Compton Verney Art Gallery in Warwickshire. Filming wrapped on 28 July 2011, lasting approximately 60 days.

Release
Gambit had its world premiere at the Empire Leicester Square in London on 7 November 2012, and was released in the United Kingdom on 21 November by Momentum Pictures.

In March 2011, CBS Films acquired US distribution rights to the film. Originally scheduled for a wide release in the United States on 11 January 2013, Gambit was moved up to 12 October 2012, before being moved back to early 2013. Due to low international box-office returns and unfavourable reviews, CBS Films released the film simultaneously in 10 theaters and through video on demand in the United States on 25 April 2014. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 27 May 2014 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Reception
The film grossed $1.9 million in the United Kingdom and a worldwide total of $14.2 million.

Gambit received negative reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 18% based on 45 reviews, with an average rating of 4.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "A curiously charmless caper that squanders a starry cast and screenplay by the Coen brothers, this Gambit doesn't pay off."