Snatch Review
by ChadPolenz AT aol DOT comApril 12th, 2001
Snatch
a film review by Chad Polenz
WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
Well, it's kinda hard to explain. It's centered around a collective circle of British gangsters who are all in one way or another trying to get their hands on a huge diamond the size of a peach. The movie jumps back and forth between four individual stories with their own subplots to bring it all together through excellent editing and direction. It's a macabre crime flick in the spirit of "Pulp Fiction," or "Get Shorty," but with that zany European twist to give it an original, fresh outlook. You're not really expected to follow the story to the letter since there's about a dozen main characters and the plot constantly twists and turns, the film is about the ride of it all.
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT:
I haven't seen such a good mix of direction, editing and screenplay in quite a few years. It's such a welcomed change of pace compared to all the countless Quentin Tarantino wannabes (ahem - Christopher McQuarrie).
I really enjoyed how "Snatch" is a mix of so many different characters who are all connected in some way but don't really know it. I usually have a difficult time trying to keep track of an ensemble cast so director Guy Ritchie does us a favor by introducing all the characters at the beginning by telling you who they are and what role they play in the British criminal underground. No heavy taxing on the brain that way!
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD ABOUT IT:
The British accents can often be indecipherable (and I don't just mean Brad Pitt's character). The actual story is quite a challenge to properly follow and the ending is a bit more violent and cliche than it needed to be.
OVERALL CRITIQUE:
Excellent performances by Pitt and the entire cast make the film a success. When you're making a crime movie that's supposed to be funny at times and deadly serious at other times you'd better have good actors who can pull off both comedy and drama smoothly.
I really enjoyed the editing and direction of the film, even if the story was a bit tricky. In fact, I can't help but think it was purposely written so complicated to make us THINK it's really a piece of brilliance. I mean, this is a crime movie at the core so often the action and sheer carnal violence are the driving forces.
So you want a rollercoaster ride at the movies? "Snatch" is just that, exciting, funny, suspenseful, always entertaining and creative as could be. Falls a little flat at the end but that's forgivable. Will very likely be on my top ten list for 2001 and is best movie of the year thus far.
RATING: ***1/2 (out of **** = good)
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