Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Stephen Graham and Benicio Del Toro
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have lit a bright spark as powerfully as Brad Pitt. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Pitt has become an icon. Whether it’s detectives seeking to investigate murders, Formula 1 drivers or fight club owners, Pitt has played several strong characters. Arguably, Pitt’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Pitt has left an impression. Despite reaching age of retirement, Pitt has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. A movie-star with charisma, Pitt has been an icon in Cinema. Throughout his strong career, Pitt has made many bold movies that are definitely worth absolutely talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Pitt and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Snatch” is absolutely his most underrated work. Released in 2000, Guy Ritchie’s movie offered a captivating portrait of gangsters. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Brad Pitt, who embodies a boxer with a bad habit of throwing a fit. Ultimately, what makes “Snatch” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Guy Ritchie movies that are targeted towards a small audience, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about gangsters, there are several strong reasons why “Snatch” is a crime movie that’s worth watching.
Set in Britain, “Snatch” tells the story about gangsters seeking to snatch precious jewel possessions. Brad Pitt plays Mickey O’Neal, a charming boxer that excels at striking up a deal. Mickey has often gotten away with his crime without experiencing any price to pay. However, Mickey’s life changes when he is involved in a tense scandal which causes a disaster. Seeking to locate a diamond that’s precious, Mickey questions whether it’s truly possible to overcome a situation that proves dangerous. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Mickey wonders whether it’s truly possible to become a boxer. Facing a rough patch, Mickey questions whether he will be able to possess diamonds that he seeks to snatch.
Guy Ritchie has always been fascinated by the lives of gangsters facing adversity. An incredible British filmmaker, Ritchie is drawn towards stories of gangsters in danger. His iconic movie “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” offered a powerful portrait of drug addicts enduring obstacles. With “Snatch”, however, Ritchie made his first heist movie. It was the filmmaker’s attempt capturing the obstacles faced by gangsters which steal precious jewelry but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Ritchie captures a pair of gangsters seeking to attain jewelry. Evoking Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction”, Ritchie effectively uses montages to convey tensions which gangsters are experiencing. For instance, montages elevate the boxing scene. During this intense scene, Mickey is engaged in a tense boxing match causing tension. Using stunning montages, Ritchie creates a portrait of boxing that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As David Fincher’s “Fight Club” suggested, montages elevate psychological thrillers. Nevertheless, it work immensely. Through stirring visuals, Ritchie captured hardships that boxers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Snatch” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best crime movies. Evoking Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, Ritchie effectively uses costumes to capture hardships which con-artists are facing. Throughout the film, Mickey’s costumes showcase his evolution into a boxer that faces tension. For instance, costumes enhance the gangster deal scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mickey has a tense business deal with associates about precious jewelry. Using stunning costumes. Ritchie creates a portrait of gangsters that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is marvellous. Noel Gallagher’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing burden which gangsters bear. Through strong production, Ritchie captures lives of gangsters enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Snatch” is a crime movie that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses macguffins to capture tensions that gangsters are facing. Throughout the film, the jewelry is a macguffin which captures the lives of gangsters facing tensions. For instance, the macguffin elevates the jewelry theft scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mickey discovers evidence of jewelry that’s been stolen causing tension. Macguffins are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” proved, macguffins often elevate serial killer films. Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” claimed, macguffins elevate films about Los Angeles. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Richie captures gangsters that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Brad Pitt delivers one of his greatest career performances as Mickey. Pitt first earned praise for playing the psychotic owners of fight clubs. With “Snatch”, however, Pitt took on his most comedic role. It isn’t simple to play a boxer that engages in a life of crime causing adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charming and bold in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentments of a boxer facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Brad Pitt, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of recognitions. Jason Statham is spectacular, bringing wisdom towards a gangster that engages in a life of crime that causes a serious problem. Stephen Graham is superb, capturing a dedication of a drug dealer that engages in life of crime causing tension. Lastly, Benicio Del Toro is worthy of appreciation. As a cruel gangster, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Snatch” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters seeking to snatch. Unlike most Guy Ritchie movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. It discusses relatable themes such as ambition, mental heath and greed that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Snatch” is one of those rare crime movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Brad Pitt will absolutely appreciate “Snatch” and so would movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting crime classic, it honours an actor which is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about gangsters that seek to snatch precious jewelry in a crime-ridden country, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies that audiences adore undeniably.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 