What do Casablanca and No Country for Old Men share? They both have perfect endings.
Imagine if Rick and Elsa had flown away together into the fog; such a conclusion likely wouldn’t have made Michael Curtiz’s classic film one of the most cherished romances of the Golden Age nearly a century later. No Country for Old Men, too, concludes with a bold, reflective moment that leaves viewers with thought-provoking questions but ties up all loose ends.
In stark contrast, Kingsman: The Secret Service concludes with an uncomfortable joke about anal sex. While comedies are often held to a lower standard due to their absurd nature, a finale that feels both silly and devoid of humor is inexcusable. The film could have easily omitted or rewritten this particular scene, yet it instead ends on a rather unrefined “note” that leaves a lingering sense of discomfort.
Directed and co-written by Matthew Vaughn, the film stars Taron Egerton as Eggsy, a young recruit in the elite spy agency, Kingsman. As a parody of the James Bond franchise, it largely hits the mark. It sports a stylish aesthetic, is fast-paced, and delivers a great deal of clever humor. Egerton shines as the charismatic Eggsy, an underachiever with undeniable talent, on his way to becoming the UK’s top agent. The storyline centers around the villainous Richmond Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who, much like classic Bond adversaries, aims to annihilate a large portion of humanity.
Unlike Austin Powers, which humorously mocks the attention to detail in tailored suits, Kingsman somewhat misses the mark on making misogyny amusing. In Austin Powers, names like Alotta Fagina and Ivana Humpalot parody the absurdity of the Bond franchise’s own character names like Pussy Galore and Holly Goodhead, making the jokes both cringe-worthy and comical.
On the other hand, Kingsman delves far deeper into sexual explicitness without delivering a punchline. After imprisoning several world leaders who oppose his plan, Valentine’s captive Princess Tilde of Sweden, played by Hanna Alström, tells Eggsy that if he saves the day, they can “do it in the a**.” When Eggsy indeed saves the world, she keeps her promise in an unexpected reveal.
You might think I’m overlooking some redeeming aspects, but I’m not. This is arguably the least amusing version of adolescent humor you’ll find in contemporary Hollywood, even when compared to The Hangover franchise. Vaughn has attempted to justify this choice by claiming he put considerable research into how Bond films incorporate sexual innuendos. While such effort is commendable, if you plan to have your protagonist engage in a tasteless act, it’s counterproductive to first establish him as a lovable hero.
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