A Dark Comedy mixed with a fresh storyline and a splash of drama

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2005)

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels comprises a beautiful mix of comedy and gritty gangland drama. The plot surrounds four friends who pool their money together for one of them to enter a poker competition, unfortunately they lose, and have only one week to come up with the cash. This surprisingly simple yet dangerously overwhelming problem soon see's the four friends become embroiled in another gangs plot to steal large amounts of weed and money off a supposedly small time outfit run by ex-students trying to make a quick buck.
The plot set against a gritty London background has an intense mix of humour and drama that makes a compelling watch. The film itself has a real sense of quality and yet made on very little money. The script is something that makes this film a bench mark to a new genre, it becomes more complex as the plot thickens, yet when broken down it is simplistic, you feel drawn in by it and not quite sure what might happen next, mainly because of the many other sub plots that run alongside the main story. The best way to some up this film is that each aspect has been carefully compiled letting very few details go unnoticed (maybe the acting on very few occasions)but when spliced together it is a work of art, a perfect balance of humour, drama, tension and intricate story telling leading to a fantastic Crescendo. In conclusion, although this film lacks some of the emotional content a film such as Schidlers List has, its design and general plot make it a superb watch, anyone who hasn't seen this film, please don't wait any longer go to your local entertainment centre and buy a copy because this is a sure bet!!