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Paki

Genre: Crime/Comedy/Sports

Director: Guy Ritchie

Writers: Jimmy Ellis & John Malone

Cast: Tom Hardy, Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Ralph Fiennes, Simon Pegg, Joe Alwyn, Florian Munteanu, Conor McGregor

Plot: Smith (Tom Hardy) sits opposite local gangster Reginald Hardwell (Ralph Fiennes). Smith talks to Reginald while Reginald sits and watches the cricket match on TV. Reginald is seemingly ignoring Smith until Smith says he has found his fighter, Seamus O’Shaughnessy. Reginald looks over intrigued as the name has come across his desk multiple times. Smith stands and gives him an envelope full of cash, the entry fee to the tournament. Reginald counts out the cash smiling.

Smith heads off to the local pub to update his fighter on the situation. As he gets closer to the pub he hears a commotion, only to see Seamus (Conor McGregor) fighting off a dozen police officers out in the street in his drunken state with a stool. After beating up a few cops, they manage to over-power Seamus and take him into police custody. Cursing himself Smith goes inside and upon entry it looks like a tornado has gone off throughout the pub. Smith immediately orders a beer and asks the bartender what happened. He tells Smith that Seamus got into a fight – he punched the guy so hard that his eye was knocked out. Smith looks at him only half shocked at that. The bartender pauses before saying, “and then he ate it.”

Giving most of his money to Reginald, Smith thinks about how he will get Seamus out of jail. He arrives at a house, knocking at the door. Answering it is Smith’s ex-girlfriend Liz (Emily Blunt). Curious as to why he is here, she invites him inside. He says that it might sound odd, but he needs to borrow some money from her. She says that she can get it out of their business but not her personal money, they aren’t romantically together anymore. She asks how much he will need, he says it shouldn’t be much – it was just a bar fight after all.

When Smith arrives at the station, he is told that Seamus has not been granted bail due to the extreme nature of the offense. Smith asks to visit Seamus, claiming he is his lawyer. As soon as he gets close enough to Seamus, he chastises him for the situation. It was bad enough that he got in a big bar fight less than a week before the biggest tournament of his life – but then he had to go and eat the guy’s eyeball?!

Freaking out a little bit Smith goes back to Reginald asking for his entry fee back. Reginald looks at him asking if he can’t just watch the fucking cricket for one day without being interrupted. Smith pleads his case, stating that his fighter is going to be in jail at the time of the tournament. Reginald declines his request and suggests that Smith find another fighter quickly.

Smith, down on his luck, walks down a rainy London street. As he walks he sees a group of young thugs attacking a homeless Pakistani man (Riz Ahmed). Smith continues walking, not wanting to get involved. Fed up with the abuse, the man proceeds to beat up the entire group of men. Smith looks back to the commotion, his eyes lighting up. Running across the road to the man, he introduces himself, who he calls “Paki.” He asks Paki where he learned to fight like that. Paki responds that he was in the army until they discharged him for psychological problems. Smith then asks Paki if he'd like to make a little money. Paki says he doesn't do stuff like that. Smith becomes angered that Paki would be insinuating that he's some kind of a "poof". Smith then explains that he manages fighters and there's a big tournament coming up that he needs a fighter for. Paki considers the offer. Smith then says that he can sleep at the gym. Paki accepts to get out of the rain.

Back at the small, run down gym Smith operates out of, Paki enjoys a hot shower. In his office Smith drinks himself to sleep. In the morning Smith is awoken to the sound of Paki getting in some work on the heavy bag. Smith takes a few aspirin and some antacids. He then approaches Paki telling him to go crazy on the bag like he did those thugs the night before. Smith realises that Paki has some raw talent, however his form is off. Smith invites Paki into the boxing ring in the middle of the gym. Smith puts the gloves on and tells Paki to fight him. If Smith can beat Paki then clearly Paki has no business in any kind of ring and should pack his things and leave. However if Paki can do some damage, they’ll continue training for the tournament.

Smith – despite no longer being in fighting shape – delivers several powerful blows to Paki, knocking him down, however Paki refuses to give up or back down. After the third time of knocking Paki down Smith stops the fight, exhausted he suddenly realises what their strategy will be. While Paki isn’t strong enough to beat opponents based on pure strength or skill, he does have the ability to take a beating and to never quit. Smith tells Paki to take a rest as Liz walks into the gym with fish and chips for the two of them. She is surprised to see Smith training Paki and asks what happened to Seamus.. Smith matter-of-factly states that Seamus ate a guy's eyeball, so he's out of the tournament and now the Paki is in.

Reginald gives part time bookie, part time accountant, Herbie Holmes (Simon Pegg) a stack of envelopes full of money and tells him to get all the bets that have been made in order. Herbie opens one of the envelopes whistling at the sight of the cash.

Smith takes Paki to watch a fellow fighter train. The two of them sit on seats in the corner of the room watching Dragomir (Florian Munteanu) train. Smith explains that Dragomir is the main competition, he is a champion fighter on the gypsy circuit, he’s never lost a fight. He tells Paki to sit and observe Dragomir train.

Marcus Baynes (Joe Alwyn) shows up out of the blue at Reginald’s office. Reginald seems to be in a somewhat happier mood than we have seen him previously. Marcus asks to enter into the tournament. Reginald is confused, as every other fighter has some sort of manager representing them. Marcus tells him that he doesn’t have the money now but after he wins the tournament he will pay the entry fee. Reginald doesn’t seem to convinced at first but after Marcus continues to tell him that he is the best he gives in. Reginald says he better watch out because if he isn’t as good as he says, and if he cannot get the money to him the day after the tournament, he will have no choice but to make him pay. Marcus looks dead in the eyes of Reginald nodding his head before Reginald tells him to get the fuck out of his office.

Smith and Paki continue training with improvements in Paki’s form evident. Being only one day out from the tournament he needs all the training he can get.

Herbie looks over the entries in the tournament and notices that Marcus doesn’t have a manager or promoter. He finds Marcus and offers him a deal to make a little money. Marcus says he’s had dealings with diving in the past but he wants to prove he can be a formidable fighter. Herbie says to prove himself in the first fight, then they will talk again.

Smith is watching Paki skip rope when Liz arrives. She asks how the training is going, and he says fine - he just hopes that Paki can have the endurance to make it through the fights. Liz objects to Smith constantly referring to his new fighter as Paki since he surely has an actual name. Smith admits that he hasn't bothered asking - he's too busy with getting him ready to fight to learn his real name, so Paki will have to do for now.

After Smith allows him to take a break, Paki chugs a gallon of water. Liz asks how he's doing. Paki tells her that training for a fight certainly beats sleeping on the street - besides, he's always been a good fighter. She asks what he did prior, and Paki tells her that he was discharged from the military and has been living on the streets ever since. She asks what his real name is. He says it is Durab. She says that sounds exotic and beautiful, then asks what it means. He chuckles and says it means 'a big door'. Liz is taken aback by the simple, uninteresting meaning.

Smith and Paki arrive for the first round of the tournament, just in time to watch Dragomir crush his opponent, knocking him out in less than 10 seconds. Reginald appears and reminds everyone in the makeshift area (a warehouse) to place their bets with Herbie or one of the other math nerds before the next match begins.

Herbie meets with Marcus and reminds him he needs to win his first match convincingly if they’re going to be able to make any money together. Marcus says that he still isn’t sure if he wants to throw any fights. Almost annoyed Herbie tells him that he has to win one before he can even have the opportunity to make a ton of money throwing one.

Paki’s first fight comes, Smith tells him to just stick to the plan and he will win this one. His opponent is considerably bigger than he is and the lack of MMA technique on Paki’s part is apparent. However Paki is able to take punch after punch and kick after kick, wearing out his opponent until Paki is able to take him out with a simple combination. After the fight Smith admits that they got lucky and have a lot of work to do.

Marcus has his first fight where he is pitted against a fighter about three times his size. Before the bell rings Marcus insists there must be some sort of mistake since they couldn’t possibly be in the same weight class. He is then informed that it’s an underground tournament – there are no weight classes. As he looks back at the bell rings, he immediately runs in circles around the ring as his opponent chases after him. Reginald watches from the balcony in disgust. His opponent finally clutches his chest and collapses to the floor. Marcus looks down at him raising his hands as he is named winner of the fight.

In the locker room Herbie hands Marcus an envelope of money and tells him to give it to Reginald. Herbie tells Marcus to consider his entry fee paid – but now he has to take a dive in the first round of his next match. Marcus tries to object, but Herbie asks Marcus if he really wants to be the type of person that owes money to Reginald Hardwell. Herbie leaves and Marcus looks at the envelope cursing himself.

Liz shows Smith and Paki a video on her phone of some of Dragomir's past fights on the gypsy circuit. In almost every clip, Dragomir simply pummels the other fighter without so much as taking a punch in return. In the last clip, the other fighter hits Dragomir in the chin, nearly knocking him down. Dragomir then beats the fighter unconscious. Smith pauses the last video and asks Liz and Paki if they saw the same thing he saw. He then points out that Dragomir is so good at offense that he probably doesn't train much on defense and has a glass chin. Paki asks for clarification. Smith says the way to beat Dragomir is to take a beating to tire him out, then pop him square in the chin. Paki says he can't think that far ahead as he's got others to fight first.

Sitting in the locker room, Marcus gets ready for his fight. Herbie pokes his head around the corner asking if he’s seen who he is fighting. Marcus is unsure, Herbie tells him he drew Dragomir. Marcus looks at his hands as they start trembling. Herbie then tells him to go down in the first, that’s where the money is.

Marcus stands opposite Dragomir in the ring, looking up at Dragomir as the bell rings Marcus takes a breath. He dodges one or two punches before being caught on the chin with a combination, he immediately drops to the ground with his mouthguard flying out of his mouth. As Dragomir celebrates, Marcus doesn’t move.

Later, in a shady corner backstage Herbie approaches Marcus saying that he really took that dive well. Marcus plays along with it saying he is good at the job. Herbie gives him the cut of the gambling winnings. Herbie asks what he is going to do next. Marcus mentions he wants to go back to France back to his ex, maybe see if they can patch things up. Herbie stops him there and asks if he wants to earn more money. Herbie convinces Marcus that it’s a good idea to stage a robbery, he could rob Herbie as he is counting bets during the final match of the tournament, thinking it’s a great idea Marcus agrees to it.

Back at the gym, as Paki trains, Smith and Liz talk. Smith comes onto her and tries to have sex with her “for old times sake” but she rebuffs his advances. Angry at Liz and himself he heads over to Paki, as Liz leaves the gym. He tells Paki to get in the ring. Paki reminds him that he fights today and shouldn’t do any sparring. Smith just tells him to get in the fucking ring. In the ring Smith takes all of his frustration out on Paki, beating him down. He leaves a small cut above Paki’s eyebrow. Liz returns to the gym and immediately runs over to the ring asking Smith what he thinks he is doing. She demands he stop, Paki’s fight is soon. Smith scoffs and gets out of the ring as Paki stands in there.

Only two hours after being beaten by Smith, Paki arrives with Liz and Smith for his fight. Standing in the ring opposite his opponent, the beating is definitely affecting him. As the bell rings he immediately takes a shot from the opponent. As the fight continues the cut above the eye opens even further. At the end of the round, he heads to the corner. Smith tells him to at least try for a little offense. Paki does not really listen to him and simply stands back up. He heads back into his opponent throwing a few punches that connect. However, his opponent throws a big right hook that connects, knocking Paki to the ground. As he hits the ground his opponent grabs his own hand writhing in agony. At the count of 7 Paki rises up. His opponent is still clutching at his hand, the ref checks on Paki who says he is good, he checks on the other competitor, but he says he can’t continue. Paki wins, but he is extremely beat up after the fight. Paki’s victory in that fight puts him into the finals against Dragomir, set for the next night.

Back at the gym, Liz does her best to patch up Paki’s wounds – stitching up the large gash above his eye. He doesn’t even flinch from the pain of the stitches. The two of them share a tender moment and are about to kiss when Smith interrupts. He becomes irate and wishes them the best of luck in the final before storming out of the gym.

Reginald stands at the doorway of Herbie’s office. Herbie looks up at him suddenly overcome by fear. However, Reginald just takes a seat opposite Herbie. Reginald questions him on how the betting is going for the final fight of the tournament with the unnamed Paki against Dragomir. Herbie informs Reginald that Dragomir is the bettors’ favourite with the overwhelming majority of bets being for him to win the fight. Reginald looks at him and smiles before standing to close the door, leaving Herbie and Reginald in the room conversing.

Still angered by the developing feelings between Paki and Liz, Smith goes to the local pub. He does not even look for a drink, but rather a fight. He walks over to a group of 6 watching a soccer match and turns one around throwing a punch. They all turn around and an immediate fight ensues. He successfully manages to fight off several of the men, but he is severely outnumbered and they eventually manage to beat him to the ground. As they are about to beat him to a pulp the bartender pulls a shotgun and blasts the ceiling breaking up the fight. He tells them all to get out of his fucking pub. The soccer men stand and walk out with Smith standing bloody and beaten. As he walks out he grabs a pint sitting on the bar and drinks it, as he opens the door he drops some money on the ground for the drink.

Herbie and Reginald pay Dragomir and his handlers a visit. The two of them propose that they could all make a fortune if Dragomir were to take a dive against the Paki. Dragomir is angered and his handlers laugh at the prospect of throwing a fight, especially considering he has never lost, no less to someone like Paki. Reginald starts to yell at Dragomir and Dragomir stands, looming over Reginald. Reginald looks him in the eye asking if he thinks he can scare him. Reginald pulls out a gun and aims the barrel directly into Dragomir’s face. Herbie convinces Reginald to lower the gun and allow him to talk to Dragomir about the business opportunity of this.

The morning of the big fight, the battered and bloodied Smith shows up at Herbie’s office and puts a whole wad of cash on the table, telling Herbie he wants to put it all on Dragomir to defeat Paki. Herbie happily takes the bet.

Paki is sitting alone in the locker room before the final fight. Liz comes and gets him, telling him it is time. They walk down a long corridor toward the ring and find Smith waiting for them. Liz immediately notices his bruised knuckles and face and asks what the hell happened to him. Smith tells her he just let out a little frustration. Paki notices that Dragomir is already in the ring waiting for the fight to begin. Smith tells Paki that his chances are not good to win, but that if he can take a good beating and conserve his energy he might just get lucky. Paki nods his head and thanks Smith for the training. As Paki enters the ring, Liz kisses Smith on the cheek. She tells him that he may be an asshole, but he’s an asshole she’ll always love.

As the fight begins, Dragomir immediately begins pummeling Paki. Reginald and Herbie exchange a worried look as the first round ends without Paki having been able to throw a single punch due to the violent onslaught from Dragomir. At the start of the second round, Paki is quickly knocked to the mat by an illegal knee to the face. Smith finds himself caught up in the fight and cheers Paki on, even though he bet against him. Paki manages to get back up onto his feet, barely. He stumbles toward Dragomir, barely able to see through all the blood coming from a cut above his eye. He throws a weak punch at Dragomir, who falls to the mat. The ref counts as the crowd loudly boos. Paki is then named the winner of the bout. Smith suggests they get the prize money and get out of the building before they’re skinned alive.

Dragomir collects his money from Reginald for throwing the fight. On the way out of the building, he is confronted by several angry bettors on the street who want him to pay back what they lost from him taking a dive. Dragomir attacks the men. The police quickly arrive and arrest him. He is placed in a jail cell alongside Seamus.

Smith sits in the office of his gym while Paki is mopping the ring. Liz arrives with lunch for them and gives each a kiss indicating that she is now in a relationship with both of the men.

Reginald is enjoying his fight fixing windfall in the Caribbean. He sits down at a beachfront bar. He asks the bartender to turn the television to a cricket match. When the bartender refuses, Reginald hits the bartender over the head with a rum bottle.