Guy Ritchie's ensemble piece involving an assortment of colourful characters has the director brilliantly using his usual set of tools. With its unique style, great dialogue, and all-around just being hilarious, Snatch is an absolute joy from start to finish.
The film follows multiple sets of characters in various segments, but they all revolve around a stolen diamond, a fixed boxing match, and a series of violence and incompetence.
This is a great example of a film I can watch anytime and be entertained by. This is thanks to a great ensemble and memorable dialogue filled with the great British wit that Richie excels at. You love hearing these guys talk to each other because the delivery and humor ramp up whenever someone opens his mouth. Some of the standouts among this great cast of characters include the usual Ritchie Colbrator, Jason Statham, as a down-on-his-luck boxing promoter, Turkish, and Stephan Graham as his not-so-bright partner Tommy. The two are very much the hearts of the film as they navigate the dangerous underworld of London and are just trying to come out of all this alive. Statham's cool and collected persona, despite what's on the line, contradicts Graham's gullibility and naivety. Then Brad Pitt comes out of nowhere as bar knuckle Irish brawler Mickey O'Neil. O'Neil is the wild card that Turkish and Tommy must place their faith in to throw a fight, or else there died. O'Neil is crazed and often impossible to understand, and Pitt pulls it off brilliantly in one of his best roles. The scene Stealer is Alan Ford as the brutal crime boss "Bricktop." Almost everything that comes out of his mouth is either a threat of violence or a petty insult. This is a man with no redeeming qualities, and that ruthlessness is why you can't take your eyes off him. The rest of the ensemble of characters is also great. From a group of incompetent robbers to an EX KGB arms dealer, there isn't a false note anywhere as each character, from major to minor are highly memorable.
The other thing I love about the film is the presentation. Richie's always delivers on style, and it's the case here. The fast paced edititng, the use of slow motion, the freeze frames, the brilliant use of a great soundtrack, etc. This is Richie's go-to box of tricks, and this was when they were at their best. The look of the film is also worth noting. People usually associate London with this glamorous metropolis, but you wouldn't think that if you watched this. It's dirty and cramped, and the characters reflect that as well. Everyone in this movie looks and dresses like shit, which is a nice departure from many gangster films with the nice suits and often attractive leads. Many of the characters also have ridiculous nicknames, and even bizarre given names, which further adds to the memorability. Some people say Guy Richie is just a British Tarantino knock-off, but if you watch his body of work (esspisally his early stuff), you can see he has his own version.
Snatch is a great discovery for almost anyone watching it for the first time. Its witty dialogue and memorable characters will also make sure you come back for more.
