The Russo family, Marcus, and McFeely want the action to be rooted in feeling. However, the set pieces' connective tissue is extremely thin.
There is more than a hint of cliché concerning the characters and motivations—Gentry must save a young girl who is ill—in this story. But that's not what we're here for. The Gray Man primarily provides what Mumbaiwallas refer to as time-pass, which is what we are here for.
The Gray Man, a Netflix original after a brief theatrical run, will hold a unique appeal in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, thanks to actor Dhanush. But in the two-hour movie, he only plays a little part that lasts for approximately 15 minutes.
He only gives a wink, yet it leaves an impression. In the end, The Gray Man comes across as a flimsy piece of cinematic art that barely goes beyond gun battles and rounds of frantic fights that seem dreadfully jaded well before the halfway point.
Bottom line: If you keep your expectations in check, this is a good one-time viewing, but it could have been so much more with a tighter plot and some cutting in the second half.
Both Gosling and Evans seem ready for a much bolder film, but the Russos keep it safe in a film that confuses loudness for size.
The Russos play it safe in a movie that confuses volume for size, even if Gosling and Evans both appear ready for a much more daring project.