Extreme violence ruins great film making.

Rating: Null/10 (6 February 2001)

After viewing the trailer to the film Snatch I was anxious to see it. I loved the stylized directing, clever art design and tasteful choice of modern music. I had suspicions, however, that it was going to go the typical modern route of bloodthirsty violence, and of course, it did. What a pity, this film could have been great, and in almost all regards it is. Take out approximately ten minutes of murdering and change a few minutes of dialogue and you would have an enduring film that would appeal to anyone. Having been the victim of violence (that and having a shred of decency) I do not find it entertaining. I was sickened by the grotesque and shameless cruelty Snatch portrays as if it were the accidental bumping into someone on the train. That is the most disturbing element in Snatch, like in other films of it's genre, (i.e.) Pulp Fiction, Casino, Millers Crossing, the happy go lucky attitude the characters take toward it's violence, as if it were a normal carefree event. Good Lord. If I make a film about rape, aren't I obligated to make a statement against such behavior? Otherwise, I condone it by default. Is this really the direction we want society to go? Don't people who enjoy watching brutal violence understand that it is at least desensitizing the people who watch it and at most encouraging such behavior? How about snuff films and human sacrifice while we're at it? Also, are the fans of this genre so shallow that they cannot separate the violence from the uniqueness the film offers? Being a fan of ska music, I know there are many neo-racist bands out there I would enjoy but I refuse to support their message. Just because Snatch has high production value, can't we agree that this type of entertainment must not be tolerated? If not, well, prepare yourself for an uglier neighborhood you helped to create. A begrudging 5 out of 10 in protest.