The Gentlemen quotes

[to Eddie] Things have been good between us, yeah? This time last year, we had nothing. But since we started that little farm under the Contessa's palazzo estate, my God! You guys nailed it. Six more farms in less than a year.

You said there was a problem. Why don't you enlighten us?

Yeah. There is a real problem. The problem is, uh, Marco Moretti.

Sorry, what? Marco Moretti? What the fսck is Moretti doing in this conversation?

We need to talk to him.

The reason we talk to you is so we don't have to talk to El Capo Dei Capi.

I know, but then he started sniffing around. He found out we are growing mɑrіjսɑnɑ under the Contessa's palazzo. Marco is her godfather. He was always going to find out. And now he wants a piece of it. Otherwise, he's gonna rip it out of the ground.

Hold on, hold on. We're spiraling here, Cico. You pushed us out of an aeroplane without a parachute. You told us you could keep Marco out of this. Where's our Mr. Consistent? Where's our Mr. Reliable?

It's Italy. Everything is a surprise, all right? This is why you have me. Okay? So I can stop the crisis.

How much to stop the crisis?

Like, forty a year?

Forty what? Forty lira? Forty winks? Forty lashes? Forty nights in the desert? Forty fսcking what, Cico?

Forty million euros, obviously.

Okay, that's it. We're off. [turns to walk]

Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. Okay. Fine. Obviously, you know, 40 is unacceptable.

Mm.

But this is why you pay me. I have a... a solution.

Well, it's a pretty big fսcking problem, Francesco, so it better be a big fսcking solution.

Well, um, how familiar are you with the works of Botticelli? A small picture of his is coming up for sale at an auction house in London. Marco is obsessed with his work.

[discussing without Cico] It's a punchy ask.

Six million's not much if it has the desired effect. Marco Moretti runs a serious organization. Extortion, kidnap, torture, they're into all of it. And they've got heavyweight backing from church and state.

Look, I'm not questioning the power of Marco Moretti. I understand the nuance and sophistication of buying a painting by his favorite Renaissance artist. My question is whether or not Cico is the most effective method to access him.

I know you don't like him. I like him even less than you do. But we've got to keep him on side. At least in the short term. Anyway, you don't have to like everyone you work with. I know who you do like.

What does that mean?

It can mean whatever you want it to mean. [walks away]

Sorry, can I help you?

[observing vintage vehicle] I don't know. Can you?

Are you lost?

Yes. I think I'm in a dream. This is the most beautiful machine I've ever seen.

[embraces him] Well, then. Let me wake you up from this dream.

Straighten things out with the Italian?

Man's a disaster, Susie. And I smell a rat with the Botticelli.

Hm. We've only got his word that that missile will reach its destination. I know you don't wanna buy the Botticelli. Either way, we need to speak to my father.

Hm. Get anywhere with Lord Hawthorne?

[inhales sharply] Well, we have a number. Do I owe you a Happy Meal?

But there's a small caveat.

Caveat?

Hm. He's taken an interest in Jack.

Right, what sort of interest?

An anthropological one. What does that mean? Well, he wants to, uh, take him for dinner, maybe to the opera, and then, uh, you know, wank him off a bit.

Hm. That shouldn't be a problem. I'll leave it to you to tell my father that his son needs to bring a peer of the realm to оrgasm.

You leave it with me.

Bobby Glass

[in a sauna] You ever heard of the myth of the Bannik?

Yeah. The shapeshifting spirit that supposedly frequented the steam rooms of Northern Europe.

Bobby Glass

The story goes that your Bannik, well, he's a... he's a mischievous kind of spirit. Sometimes he appears as a naked little man stroking his beard, smoking a pipe. But you be careful that you don't invite in other kinds of spirits. If you're asking his advice, you gotta make sure you pay him his due. Otherwise, uh, he can get up to all sorts of mischief. [Bannik appears invisible to Eddie] Fortunately, there are other rituals that you can use that appease the Bannik. Now, these rituals range from smothering a black-feathered chicken and burying his unplucked corpse under your steam house, or you can just offer him a fir branch when you've finished your steam and say thank you. But you gotta be sure you pay him. Now, your Bannik, he does have his uses.

And what would those be, Father?

Bobby Glass

Well, he can see into the future. I'll show you how to do it.

Oh.

Bobby Glass

[gets up] Now, you stand with your back to the furnace, which you leave half open. Now, you ask the Bannik a question, any question you want, but the Bannik, he won't answer you directly, you see. He can't talk. He can only touch. Now, if it's a good omen, you'll feel his little hand pat you on the back. But if it's a bad one, well, he'll scratch you with his sharp little claws.

And what question did you ask him, then?

Bobby Glass

I asked him about the emergence of the Mafia boss, Marco Moretti, and this business about the picture.

Right. And what exactly did this Bannik say, then, Bobby?

Bobby Glass

Do I buy the Botticelli for Marco Moretti? [Bannik's hands appear on Bobby's shoulders] The Bannik gave my back a lovely little fսcking rub.

Hm.

Bobby Glass

[points] You ought to buy him that picture.

Well, my concern is, despite our early success that we've enjoyed in Italy, Cico, he remains sloppy and unreliable.

Bobby Glass

But, if he smooths out the business with Moretti, then he's getting the job done. Buy him the fսcking picture! The Bannik has spoken, okay?ǃ

Loud and clear.

He's getting worse, Susan.

No. He's just winding you up. Bit of fun.

He's making decisions based on the advice of a mythical creature.

Like I said, fun.

[To Eddie] This cathedral has stood here for nearly a thousand years, almost as long as your family has possessed its title. It's generally accepted that man has not evolved architecturally since the construction of these medieval cathedrals. Our ambitions have become short-sighted. Man's desire to unify with God has fallen on fallow ground. God didn't deliver, or man didn't deliver. The experiment has failed.

Who said the experiment is over, Mr. Johnston? Never show a fool your work until it's complete.

Do you know why the monarch holds the orb and scepter during the coronation ceremony? Well, for the same reason that there is a spire on this cathedral and a nave underneath it. The spire and the scepter represent the masculine, the orb, the feminine. Giving and taking. Sun and moon. Positive and negative. Phallus and womb. Bat and ball. Bottle and glass. A pattern hidden in plain sight, but only observed by a few. The classical architects constructed all positions of power with a domed roof and an obelisk, column or spire. The crown represents the conscious reconciliation of these two opposing forces. The mistake people make is thinking the king is a man, not a symbol. He is the personification of the individual's quest to become whole. This has always been the hidden agenda of the monarch. The unification of these two disparate forces to wield a greater power. Where are we going with this, Mr. Johnston? And why are we in this cathedral? What do you know about this sheepskin parchment we have over here? Well, it's the Magna Carta, arguably one of the most significant constitutional documents of all time. Just as the king is the spiritual scepter, this document is the material orb. Your ancestor was one of 25 barons that forced the king to sign this document. I'm aware of that. Your DNA is baked into the keystone of Western civilization. A legitimate king could find the balance that was lost. To quote you, Your Grace, "Never show a fool your work until it's completed." What this country needs is a king that deserves such a crown. Your ancestor was the poison. You are the remedy. What's the difference between bad shit and good manure? The answer is you, Your Grace. You have the unique ability to alchemize that which is poisonous into that which is divine. The ability to choose between judgment and mercy. A harmless man is not a complete man. A complete man is a dangerous man who has judgment under voluntary control. They cannot mistake your kindness for weakness. The question is... will you accept the challenge?

Lord Hawthorne

[at an eating establishment] I've always taken great pleasure in the culinary delights of the invertebrate. [chuckles] The crushed ice. The gleaming treasure served up on a calciferous shell. The slippery feeling as it glides down your throat. Do you take a couple of chews on the way, or do you prefer to swallow them whole?

Jack Glass

Well, it depends on the oysters. When they're this fresh, you need to give them a bit of a chomp. Make sure they're dead.

Lord Hawthorne

Oh. Wonderful how the animal instinct kicks in, even in as refined a setting as this. Tell me something, Jack. If you had to be an animal, which animal would it be?

Jack Glass

Well, Dad always says I fight like a dog. But I think that's a compliment.

Lord Hawthorne

[chuckles] Oh, you're much higher up the food chain than that. A lion, maybe. Or perhaps a wolverine. I've always identified as a fox. You see, I'm wily and cunning. And I have a very bushy tail.

Jack Glass

Listen, Richard. I don't mind a bit of chasey-chasey, but there's gonna be no sucky-fucky at the end.

Lord Hawthorne

Oh, Jack, Jack, Jack. [chuckles] I think you've completely misread things. I wouldn't...

Jack Glass

I don't mind playing the game and having a little flirt, if it makes you happy. But your cock and my arse? Not gonna happen. Not that I have a problem with it. It just ain't really my relish.

Lord Hawthorne

What is your relish?

Jack Glass

Mіnge, mսff, gash, clunge. Front, not back bottom.

Bobby Glass

[in sauna] So, what do people do at Lord Hawthorne's parties?

It's all very modern, Dad. Not your thing.

Bobby Glass

Right. What did he want? Your cock?

Jack Glass

Yeah.

Bobby Glass

[exhales] Did you give him some?

Jack Glass

If I thought I could get away with just a bit of cock, I would have obliged. But it's my arsehole I was worried about.

Bobby Glass

Nice to see you still got your principles.

He's saying the terms of the deals weren't met.

Bobby Glass

Well, they met. He went out.

No, he's saying he didn't commit. Did you commit to going out?

Jack Glass

I committed to going out, but not going in.

Bobby Glass

I rest my case. The upshot is Lord Hawthorne's asked to increase the financials as recompense. And given the time constraints... we think we should give him what he wants. What time constraints?

Bobby, the vote to decide who becomes the new hereditary peer is at the end of the week. With Hawthorne's help, we get me into the House of Lords, where I control which way the bill to decriminalize mɑrіjսɑnɑ goes.

Bobby Glass

How much?

150.

Bobby Glass

That's a 5x increase. Now, we... we've got to remember our principles here. Jack did what Jack was supposed to do. Jack stuck to his obligations.

Look, 150 is nothing in context. We could have paid him 2 million. Let's not let principles get in the way.

Bobby Glass

[gets up]Sorry? You... You wanna say that again?

I think you heard what I said, Bobby.

Bobby Glass

Yeah, I did. And the statement disturbs me. You see, we don't fսck around with our principles. These people, they don't know who they're dealing with. So we pay them the agreed sum. [slams bench] Now, you put a fսcking gun down on the table in front of them and watch their arsehole fall out. You need a hand with that, you give me a shout. [Bannik places handgun on table] I ain't paying that posh cսոt another fսcking shekel.

What if we paid Lord Hawthorne out of the problem fund?

Dad wouldn't be happy if he found out.

If he finds out. He doesn't need to know till we decide to tell him. He'll thank us for our initiative.

You know as well as I do, if we went around his back, he wouldn't look upon it kindly.

If he finds out, Sue.

You're in a particularly mischievous mood today, Edward.

Well, just trying to find a solution to the problem.

Why don't we talk to him together? [gets DM from Geoff saying "problem with the lawyer"] Unless you're otherwise engaged.

No, it's just Geoff. Don't mind me.

How's he handling his new remit? Must be hard, wearing two hats.

Let's just say he's, uh, extremely capable. Look, uh, it might be worth you flying solo on this one. If we're gonna force Lord Hawthorne's hand, he might respond better to a feminine touch. An iron fist with a Brioni glove.

With the added benefit of allowing you time to resolve your cryptic issue with your capable gamekeeper.

Certainly. Bye.

[Jack pulls up in high performance vehicle] Right, Jack, if you're driving, remember it's a car, not a rocket.

Jack Glass

You're in safe hands, sister dear. [Susie gets i] Buckle up. [takes off]

Lord Hawthorne

[peering into handbag loaded with cash bills] What a lovely bag. I see you have a penchant for flattery, Miss Glass. Despite the elegant Chanel presentation, I will be neither beguiled, intimidated, nor threatened.

I'm not threatening you. I'm simply contextualizing the situation.

Lord Hawthorne

I'd like to speak to Eddie. Where is he?

Busy.

Lord Hawthorne

Busy doing what?

Hunting, fishing, counting the doves in his dovecote. I don't know. Thirty, plus a night out on the town with my brother is what was agreed. Now, I understand that, despite his best endeavors, Jack failed to deliver what you feel was required. But unless you can articulate what went wrong, we're done.

Lord Hawthorne

He didn't... commit to the evening.

He's not a homosexual. Neither are you, of course, a homosexual. Jack's arse was never on the dartboard.

Lord Hawthorne

I didn't ask for his arse. I wanted a night out on the town, which, as I explained, he failed to deliver on.

There has never been a more heterosexual man to walk this earth than my brother Jack. He's like a dog with six dicks. But they all point in the direction of a vajayjay. Now, if you'd like someone to wank you off, I suggest you close your eyes and imagine some hairy knuckles.

Lord Hawthorne

Oh, that's not my thing, dear.

Mm, I rest my case. Tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna leave you here with that elegant bag with 30,000 cash so you can go buy as many dicks as you like. And you can think over your options. We'll talk tomorrow. [walks out]

[meets Eddie at residence] Sorry to trouble you, Your Grace. We spoke to the lawyer as per your instructions.

You got the address of the accountant?

Over an hour ago. But it seems our, uh, Japanese friend is pretty keen in there.

Be more specific, Geoffrey.

We got what we came for, but he's still torturing the poor soul.

[opens door to Takashi throttling lawyer and holds up card] We have the address of the accountant. I'll take you to him. Let's go.

[speaks Japanese into phone, which audibly translates] One has yet to conclude one's work.

No, we've finished. Let's go.

[speaks Japanese into phone, which audibly translates] One has yet to conclude one's work.

[gestures] Work over. This is NOT the job. Work... over. Good. [Takashi shoots lawyer in the head] Fսck. [walks out] That's a problem, Geoffrey.

[on phone] Eddie, how are things progressing with our mutual acquaintance?

Ah, his methods are, uh, a touch extreme, to put it mildly.

Yes, but you have the address?

Yeah, we have the address. The accountant is renting a house in Castle Combe.

[chuckles] Let me make something very clear. Our target is a monster. It's imperative this accountant disappears.

The agreement was for one body. We're already one body down.

Yes, but if our Japanese friend's methods appear a little extreme, there is a good reason for that. Okay? So tell me, is it a problem or not? Yes or no?

There's no problem.

[playing billiards with Susie] Remember that time me and Jack nicked those mountain bikes? Those Islington boys came looking for 'em all Ralphed up, roided to the nipples, threatening all sorts, and then you, Susie Glass, you tore straight into 'em, didn't ya?

Might have looked the bollocks. They didn't have a bollock between them. It's the tragic price of steroids.

I fancied you after that.

Because I stood up to a couple of council-flat acne backs? Fսck off, Joe.

No. No, obviously I fancied you before that. You were gorgeous. Still are. No, it was the way you wouldn't countenance any shenanigans.

Still don't.

So what exactly is this relationship between you and the Duke?

Professional.

Joe: Incongruous juxtaposition, wouldn't you say? You and His Highness?

That's a paradox, Joe. Paradoxes relate to irony. Ironies correlate to juxtaposition. Really wanna play this game?

I'll play any fսcking game you like, Susie Glass.

Thank you, Joe. Balls in pockets, fingers in pies, noses in other people's business. What are you up to, Big J? You wanna back off pronto before you find yourself in a Chinese finger trap.

I'll tell you why I ask. I wonder if your time would be better suited in a different game.

Different game? What the fսck are you talking about?

More dough. Less bulk. Fatter margins. And your dad wouldn't be barking orders at ya. Bollocks like yours, Susie, are rare. You've got skills, experience. Vision.

Whilst I've no doubt there are vast gains to be had from dealing in the powder, the risk remains that bit too elevated for my liking.

Since when was Susie Glass afraid of heights?

It's not the heights. It's the volatility. It's the South American coke dealers. They love a morbid body puzzle. They chop each other's cousins up into little pieces, put them in plastic bags, and hide them all over the tundra. And they put those pieces back together again like some third-world version of Humpty Dumpty. Nah, you can fսck off, Joe. I like the green fields of England. What I wanna know is if you asked me out 'cause you fancied a bunk up, or 'cause you wanted to sound me out about a change of career?

Can't it be both?

It's not my place to say anything, sir.

Sounds like you're going to anyway, so why don't you go ahead?

This journey that you've embarked on to bring the estate back to its former glory, it seems to be coming at quite a cost. For years, we've been living in the zoo and contracting. Now we're living in the jungle and expanding. And, yes, that does come at a cost.

[Sabrina and Charly visit Freddy in rehab] Oh, there he is. Little, um, baby Tim. Tim?

Tarquin.

Tarquin.

Yeah.

Fabulous, fabulous name. How's he doing?

[sighs] Ghastly, most of the time.

[chuckles] I'd love to give him a cuddle.

Yeah, of course. Yeah. Just, um, maybe when he wakes up.

Maybe he won't wake up.

Sorry?

Maybe he'll stay asleep, 'cause it's peaceful in here. 'Cause it's... Well, I find it peaceful, anyway. [seated at table with Sabrina and Charly] The good news is, I've... I've come to a realization, which I would like to tell you about. It's a big one. It might come as a little bit of a shock. [awkwardly chuckles] But, um, I have been reborn. Spiritually speaking. [sighs] Family is everything to me. I have been less than the older brother I should have been. I haven't been there for you. All those years, hoovering up lines of cоcɑіnе like a fսcking Henry the Hoover. But I wanna be there for you now. For you and... your newborn son.

Sabrina Horniman

Well, that's just-

Mummy, I failed you and Dad. I... I... I failed in my responsibilities, and, um, I realize that Dad was right to leave everything... everything to Edward. No, he was. He was right. And, um, I'm glad. [chuckles] I'm actually... I'm grateful that he did. Because that all led me here. That being said, I think that I'm ready to come home now. [gasps] If... I mean, if you guys want me to.

Sabrina Horniman

Yes!

Yeah.

Sabrina Horniman

Oh God, of courseǃ

You'll have me back?

Sabrina Horniman

We want you home.

Great.

Sabrina Horniman

We do, my darling.

Great.

Sabrina Horniman

I do think it's important not to rush into these things.

I'm not rushing. I've thought about it a lot. I've got a bag packed.

Sabrina Horniman

Yes, well, not today.

We don't have room in the car.

Sabrina Horniman

There's no room in the car.