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Poster (c) Columbia/Tristar
In a recent issue of Premiere magazine, The Italian Job director F. Gary Gray called Snatch. the greatest heist movie ever. It has numerous twists and turns, and, like all good heist films, you don’t know what’s going to happen at the end. However, for Snatch., I had no idea what happened during the entire movie! Guy “Swept Away” Ritchie directed this snazzy, modern crime film, but isn’t consistent all the way through.
Although it sounds like I didn’t like the film, I did. A lot. What appealed to me was Ritchie’s boldness to do weird camera tricks and shots. (Please keep in mind that I have not seen Ritchie’s previous critically acclaimed work Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.) At times, mainly during the heist scene at the bank, shots were flipped upside down, and weird transitions were used. It looked really cool and modern. Also, despite the often voice-overs (usually by Jason Statham’s Turkish), a quick and effective way of transition was used. It was used a few times, when characters were changing countries, and I really liked it. You’ll recognize it.
In this convoluted script, which was also quite funny, Turkish tells us that he’s under interrogation with his friend Tommy (Stephen Graham). He tells us of a diamond heist, with a group that includes famous robber Franky Four Fingers (Benicio Del Toro), and the subsequent hunt for the 84-karat diamond. Subplots include underground boxing, gypsies who you can’t understand but look like Brad Pitt, and a dog that swallows a squeaky toy.
Even though I had no idea what was happening, who all of the characters were, what they were doing, and everything, I still really enjoyed Snatch. Why, I don’t know, I just had a really good time trying to figure out what was happening on screen. Statham is a really good actor, not like Vin Diesel, who may be a good action star but can’t act his way out of a paper bag (note to self: avoid clichés like the plague). All of the other characters just kind of “go along with the flow,” but I wish I did learn more about how everyone was connected. Other than that, Snatch. is a high-octane and extremely enjoyable heist movie that may not be the best ever, but is still really good.
Rated R for strong violence, language, and some nudity.
Review Date: June 12, 2003