Guy Ritchie at his best

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2011)

Snatch is a brilliant, violent but often hilariously funny thriller about the lives of a gang of London low lives, as well as Americans, Irish travellers, Russians and the tough and shady world of underground boxing. I remember the film first causing a stir because of the casting of Brad Pitt against type as a rough Irish traveller and his supposedly incomprehensible accent. Pitt is brilliant as he hams it up but never goes overboard is a role that is a slight parody of his part in Fight Club. As with Lock Stock....Guy Ritchie keeps his cast of favourites and it shows, the acting is excellent from just about all concerned. Although for me as with Lock Stock.....it's Vinnie Jones who steals every scene he's in as the violent and menacing Bullet Tooth Tony. Alan Ford is also fantastic as the sly and shady Brick Top. Ritchie's assured direction never skips a beat, and his trademark camera-work is again on display, and editing techniques are second to none. Also the characters are wonderful and the script is first rate. The central plot is as old as the hills - criminals try to retrieve a diamond stolen from an Antwerp jewellers - but it doesn't matter. This is one the true gems of British cinema.