The Gentlemen

The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Fletcher arrives at Raymond's house to pitch his screenplay about Mickey Pearson's criminal empire. Establishes the frame narrative and Mickey's status as a successful, sophisticated cannabis kingpin who wants to retire and sell his business.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Dry Eye, a Chinese gangster working for Lord George, approaches Mickey with an insultingly low offer to buy his business and implies he'll take it by force if necessary. The hostile takeover attempt disrupts Mickey's clean exit plan.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.

The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Mickey decides to actively defend his empire rather than simply sell and leave. After the farm raid by the YouTube gang (involving Coach and his fighters), Mickey chooses to fight back against all threats, entering a war to protect what's his., moving from reaction to action.

At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Mickey is drugged and photographed in a compromising position by Dry Eye's men. The blackmail material threatens both his marriage and business deal. What seemed manageable now threatens everything—his reputation, his relationship with Rosalind, and his exit strategy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dry Eye arrives at Mickey's office for a confrontation and attempts to kill Mickey. In the struggle, Raymond shoots and kills Dry Eye. Mickey now has a dead Chinese gangster in his establishment, making him a target for Lord George and potentially ending any chance of a clean exit., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Synthesis at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Mickey orchestrates the resolution by managing Fletcher, arranging the body disposal, negotiating with Matthew, and protecting his business. Raymond deals with Fletcher definitively. Mickey completes his sale and secures his empire, having outplayed all opponents. Every thread is resolved through intelligence and strategic violence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.