Gambit is a 2012 film directed by Michael Hoffman with a screenplay written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, is a remake of the excellent 1966 film of the same title.  It's a comedy that revolves around a plan to steal an invaluable painting.

Plot

The film follows the story of Harry Deane (played by Colin Firth), an art expert who works for the wealthy and snobbish Lord Lionel Shabandar (played by Alan Rickman). Lord Shabandar owns an invaluable Monet painting, but Harry is tired of his bullying and decides to con him.

Harry devises a plan to steal the painting and replace it with a perfect copy. To assist him in the con, he involves an eccentric Texan woman named PJ Puznowski (played by Cameron Diaz). However, things take a complicated turn when the painting is actually stolen, and Harry and PJ find themselves in the midst of an international intrigue involving art thieves, revenge, and betrayals.

The plot is characterized by plot twists, comedic situations, and games of deception as Harry and PJ try to carry out the heist and survive in a world of dangerous characters.

Complete Cast:

• Colin Firth as Harry Deane
• Cameron Diaz as PJ Puznowski
• Alan Rickman as Lionel Shahbandar
• Tom Courtenay as The Major
• Stanley Tucci as Martin Zaidenweber
• Cloris Leachman as Grandma Merle
• Julian Rhind-Tutt as Xander

Director: Michael Hoffman

Producer: Mike Lobell, Rob Paris, Adam Ripp

Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (based on the original 1966 screenplay)

Music by: Rolfe Kent

Cinematographer: Florian Ballhaus

Production Cost: Approximately $20 million.

Box Office: Approximately $14 million worldwide at the box office.

Awards: It did not receive any notable awards.

Critics' Reception: The "Gambit" remake was not as well-received as the original 1966 film. Critics often noted that despite the star-studded cast and a screenplay by the Coen brothers, the film failed to capture the charm and sophistication of the original. However, some reviews did praise the individual performances of the cast members.

My opinion. Little film that leaves no trace of comedy. Yes, a few laughs here and there, but mostly lacking in direction.

Comedy scenes, but they only make one smile and are sometimes so paradoxical that they slip into the banal.

Too bad.