Tom Hardy and Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla: A Forgotten Crime Masterpiece

Tom Hardy and Guy Ritchie’s Early Days in British Crime Films

Tom Hardy and Guy Ritchie have become household names, especially with their recent successes like Mad Max: Fury Road and the live-action Aladdin. However, their roots lie in Britain's smaller crime genre. The duo is closely associated with the country's gangster films, and their collaboration on the 2025 series MobLand has only reinforced that connection. The show was so successful that it was renewed for a new season this year.

But MobLand isn’t the first time Hardy and Ritchie have worked together in the world of British gangsters. That distinction belongs to RocknRolla, Ritchie’s fourth crime film and his last one for at least a decade. When it was released in 2008, the film didn’t perform well at the box office and received mixed reviews. Yet, 17 years later, RocknRolla is now seen as one of Ritchie’s most underrated and misunderstood works.

A Hilarious and Progressive Gangster in RocknRolla

In RocknRolla, Tom Hardy plays Handsome Bob, a member of the Wild Bunch, the group’s designated driver. He is joined by Gerard Butler as One-Two, the leader of the group, and Idris Elba as Mumbles, One-Two’s right-hand man. The film also features Mark Strong, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Ludacris, Jeremi Piven, and Toby Kebbell, all portraying various gangland archetypes.

At first glance, these characters are typical of what fans of Ritchie’s crime films expect. They have cool nicknames, their reputations precede them, and their dialogue is filled with the snarky banter that defines Ritchie’s style. But there is more depth to these characters than previously seen in Ritchie’s earlier works like Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

One of the standout aspects of RocknRolla is the character of Handsome Bob. He is openly gay and in love with One-Two. This revelation is handled with respect and maturity, which is rare in the crime genre. Unlike other films that might mock such a trait, RocknRolla portrays Handsome Bob as a fully realized character who is just as tough, capable, and sharp-tongued as any of Ritchie’s other gangsters. His sexuality doesn’t affect his role in the group, and his friends accept him without issue.

This progressive portrayal of a gay gangster is surprisingly ahead of its time, especially considering the state of male-coded crime fiction in the 2000s. It makes RocknRolla feel timeless and even more relevant today.

A Departure from Expectations

Ritchie is known for his crime films filled with eccentric criminals, fast-paced dialogue, and dark humor. Fans often expect his next film to be a return to the style of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. However, RocknRolla takes a different approach. Instead of celebrating the gangster lifestyle, it serves as an epilogue for London’s underworld.

The film portrays the gangsters as aging and weary, struggling to keep up with a changing world. The city they once ruled is no longer dominated by petty offenders but by white-collar criminals who can buy entire neighborhoods. This shift highlights how Ritchie’s signature characters are relics in a modernized world.

The Wild Bunch, who would have been the stars of an earlier Ritchie film, are now just a nuisance to figures like Lenny Cole and the Russian oligarch Uri Omovich. Even Lenny, an old-school gangster, fails to adapt to the new criminal landscape. Through this, RocknRolla becomes a meditation on how criminals cope with aging, change, and obsolescence.

A Film That Didn’t Meet Expectations

Despite its artistic merits, RocknRolla struggled upon release. Fans were expecting a return to Ritchie’s earlier, more chaotic style, but instead, they were met with a more restrained and character-driven story. This led to a lukewarm reception and a box office failure. The film’s underwhelming performance convinced Ritchie to step away from the crime genre for nearly a decade.

Another factor contributing to the film’s failure was the timing. The 2000s saw a shift in audience preferences, with the rise of blockbuster films and superhero franchises. RocknRolla didn’t stand a chance in this environment. Additionally, the film’s unconventional tone left many viewers confused and unimpressed.

The Fate of a Planned Trilogy

RocknRolla was intended to be the start of a trilogy, with a sequel titled The Real RocknRolla planned. However, due to the film’s financial failure, the project never moved forward. Ritchie mentioned in 2011 that the script was ready, but no producer was willing to fund it. With the passage of time and Ritchie’s focus on other projects, the trilogy remains unrealized.

A Misunderstood Masterpiece

Despite its initial reception, RocknRolla has gained appreciation over time. It marked a turning point in Ritchie’s career, showing a more mature and reflective side of the filmmaker. While other crime directors stuck to traditional power fantasies and outdated portrayals of masculinity, Ritchie used RocknRolla to challenge the genre itself.

From Handsome Bob’s positive characterization to the unexpected vulnerability of Lenny, the film defied expectations in small but meaningful ways. Though it may not have been a commercial success, RocknRolla is now recognized as a bold and insightful entry in Ritchie’s filmography.

Today, RocknRolla is available to watch and own physically and digitally, offering a second chance for audiences to appreciate this overlooked gem.