Charlotte Kirk Relaunches British Gangster Film

The following contains major spoilers for Duchessavailable in digital format on August 9. Also contains a discussion on violence.

Duchess will be instantly recognized — and loved — by fans of British gangster films or 70s action films. It is best described as a cross between the film adaptation of JJ Connolly's detective novel Layer Cake and the action movie with Gina Carano Out of control. While it's a vehicle for fame for Charlotte Kirk, who is not only the lead actress but also the co-writer and producer, it's a fun film for anyone who likes to have a good time.



The film focuses on the title character, who goes from petty thief to something much bigger after a chance encounter in a nightclub. What follows doesn't reinvent the wheel of the crime film. The film knows exactly what it has to give the audience, who can largely guess what's coming. But thanks to an interesting cast and complete commitment to its larger-than-life atmosphere, Duchess it ends up being a great movie to watch under the umbrella.


Duchess Transforms Charlotte Kirk Into Action Heroine

Kirk does his part to move the film forward

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When a character's name is the title of a movie, that character better be worth watching. Duchess takes its name from the nickname given to Kirk's leading lady, Scarlett Monaghan, who is unquestionably at the center of every scene she appears in. Not surprising, since Kirk co-wrote and produced the film along with The downhill director Neil Marshall; it would be stranger if the two He did not do play to her strengths. The film is told from Scarlett/Duchess's point of view, including her narration, and follows her progression from petty criminal to monopolized revenge machine.


In this sense, there are echoes of Gina Carano's performance in the 2011 film Out of control. Both films center on strong female characters who spend the majority of the film literally fighting for revenge after being betrayed, and both films emphasize how tough their heroines are. However, while Carano's character, Mallory Kane, was a professional assassin (and Carano herself was a professional MMA fighter), Duchess is a relatively ordinary person. Post-credit scenes establish that she is an incredibly talented criminal, but her fighting skills are limited to boxing sessions at a gym run by Aunt Nellie. Duchess spend as little time as possible explaining how the main character is not prepared for what he is about to do; he just knows that he is going to do it.

Aunt Nellie: The choices you make stick with you forever.


Likewise, Kirk commits to everything asked of her, from the cocky, confident presence the film needs to make the audience root for her, to the few moments where she is required to be emotional. The story really hinges on whether or not the viewer cares about Scarlett's whirlwind romance with Rob (played by Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (former student Philip Winchester), because that's the motivation for all the fighting and shooting. Kirk doesn't reach the same heights as Daniel Craig in Layer Cake or go through a transformation as compelling as that of Martin Compston in Gangsterbut she never loses that recognizability, so that the audience is interested in Duchess and not just how many bad guys she defeats. And of course, she takes out a lot of them.

The cast of Duchess is what makes the movie entertaining

An unexpected combination of actors offers great charm

Rob (actor Philip Winchester) protects the Duchess (Charlotte Kirk) in an elevator in the film Duchess


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There is no shortage of action and adventure heroines, so Duchess needs more than Kirk to stand out. What becomes a great hook for the film is the rest of its cast, because they are not names that would immediately come to mind to an audience. Layer Cake the comparison becomes even more valid with the presence of Colm Meaney, who played Gene in the 2004 film. Meaney has a brief but important role in Duchess as “Mad” Frank Monaghan, Scarlett's incarcerated and utterly ruthless father, who provides much-needed context for the title character's unfortunate backstory.

Mad Frank: You can choose where you go, but you can't change where you came from.


The film is a welcome return to butt-kicking and name-taking for Philip Winchester, who starred in the superlative action series Hit again before turning to television procedural programs. One of the screenplay's weaknesses is how quickly it asks the audience to believe that Scarlett and Rob are madly in love with each other.; flirt within minutes of meeting, and parts of their relationship are skipped over in the edits. Scarlett calls Rob “the love of my life,” but there isn't enough screen time for this dynamic to be entirely believable, because there has to be time for the action sequences. Instead, what sells the romance is Winchester making an ex-marine turned diamond-running mercenary completely charming, so that the audience falls for him and realizes that he's a good guy, regardless of his questionable choice of occupation. And once the bullets start flying, Winchester is back in his element as an action hero.


The biggest surprise comes from Colin Egglesfield, who plays Tom, Rob's longtime friend and business partner. His character undergoes a drastic change that separates Tom from almost every character Egglesfield has played before. The actor is best known for playing sympathetic guys in projects like Rizzoli & Islands or the romantic comedy Something borrowed; this movie will make audiences see him very differently. It may be the first time he's been actively hated on screen. For soap opera fans, Dynasty AND The Colbys star Stephanie Beacham takes on the role of Charlie. All the characters that revolve around Scarlett are more or less what the audience expects them to be; it's the way the actors interpret them that makes them unique.

Duchess offers enough action to capture viewers' interest

Neil Marshall shoots a fast-paced and action-packed film

Osborne and Duchess (actress Charlotte Kirk) bloodied outside a hotel in the film Duchess


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Although Duchess doesn't spend enough time developing its characters, which is because the film wants to get to the double-crossing and action that gangster movie fans are looking for. Marshall's use of montages speeds up the interim period between Scarlett meeting Rob and becoming an integral part of his business. The director also keeps things moving at a brisk pace once the inciting incident sends Duchess on her mission of revenge; the only downsides come when the characters discuss their next moves between battles. While the film is just under two hours long (117 minutes), it feels much shorter.

Duchess: Rob once told me that true power can never be given. It must be taken.


Marshall completely abandons himself to the pulp and exaggerated flavor of the gangster genre, as well as to a certain cinematic aesthetic of the 70s. The retro titles and the decision to put each key character's name on screen when they're introduced (which is very helpful) make Duchess It feels like a classic rather than something released in 2024. The director is also able to adapt his style several times throughout the film. One pre-credits scene feels very film noirbut the street scenes are full of dark shadows and grit, while the images of the Canary Islands look incredible. There are only a few awkward moments (one involving the violent use of a vice), but Marshall generally avoids the action being too gory or too stylized.


Duchess ticks every box that gangster movie fan will want: there are tough characters, plenty of action, shamelessly pithy jokes, sex, and swagger. Marshall and Kirk also leave the door open for a potential sequel. Audiences looking for deeper themes or a more complex exploration of characters will want to check out the 1970s-set cop show. Hotel cocaine. But those who just want to have fun, who want a throwback to when movies weren't so complicated, or who are Guy Ritchie fans, will have a blast with DuchessBrings back the British gangster film.

Duchess will be available digitally and on demand from August 9, 2024.

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