Guy Ritchie’s ‘Operation Fortune’ Sees Streaming Revival Despite Critical Divide
Despite a lukewarm reception from film critics, Guy Ritchie’s action-comedy “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre” is experiencing a surge in popularity, climbing the streaming charts on both Prime Video and Hulu. As of February 12, the film, starring Jason Statham, reached as high as No. 3 in the United States, demonstrating a clear disconnect between critical assessment and audience enjoyment.
Ritchie, known for his distinctive filmmaking style, reunited with Statham – following their successful collaboration on 2021’s “Wrath of Man,” which also featured Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Bugzy Malone, Cary Elwes, and Hugh Grant – for this 2023 release. According to Ritchie, the primary motivation for “Operation Fortune” was simply the pleasure of working with Statham again. “The truth is I wanted another alibi to give me a reason to work with Jason again, because I enjoy collaborating with him so much,” he shared via Entertainment Weekly.
The critical response to “Operation Fortune” was notably split. Rotten Tomatoes aggregated a 51% approval rating from critics, while audiences overwhelmingly approved, awarding the film an 82% rating. This pattern echoes the reception of “Wrath of Man,” which garnered a 68% critical score but a robust 90% audience approval, earning it a “Verified Hot” designation on the review site.
Ritchie himself acknowledged the film’s ironic premise, explaining that the term “Ruse de Guerre” – meaning “the accepted unorthodox approach to war” – is a concept best understood by the French, and is central to the film’s narrative.
Produced on a $50 million budget, “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre” reportedly broke even at the box office, with revenue estimates ranging from $49 million to $50 million. However, its recent success on streaming platforms suggests a continued life and growing audience for the film, proving that viewer preferences often diverge from professional reviews. This resurgence demonstrates that Ritchie, Statham, and “Operation Fortune” are having the last laugh, as audiences embrace the film regardless of critical opinion.
The film, released on March 3, 2023, boasts a runtime of 113 minutes and was directed by Guy Ritchie.
