Snatch (R, 2002)

common sense media says

Eccentric characters, lively banter, adults only.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that characters use frequent racial, ethnic, and religious slurs. In this criminal world, the issue of law is non-existent. Murder and theft are depicted as a way of life in an ostensibly non-criminal group (jewelers). The ensemble says "f--k" about as much as the average teenager says "like." All of the characters are gangsters and criminals, most of whom drink, smoke, swear, and brawl on a continual basis. A brief scene in a bar includes topless dancers. A deck of playing cards with photos of bare-breasted women is seen. Strong but comic violence is the movie's rason d'etre.

Positive messages: Racial, ethnic, and religious slurs are frequent among these gangster characters. Some comic violence.
Violence: Strong but comic violence is the movie's rason d'etre. The violence and carnage will be distasteful to many viewers.
Sex: A brief scene in a bar includes topless dancers. A deck of playing cards with photos of bare-breasted women is seen.
Language: The ensemble uses the "F" word about as much as the average teenager says "like."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking and smoking.

More on Snatch

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about whether the plot really mattered in this movie, or if other elements took over.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Set in London, Guy Ritchie's violent crime caper SNATCH follows three sets of characters who are all after a stolen diamond. Business partners Turkish (Jason Statham) and Tommy (Stephen Graham) team with Irish boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) in a devious plan that has Mickey purposely losing a fight. In another corner are a Russian mobster and his partner-in-crime Franky Four Fingers (Benicio Del Toro); the third team includes New Yorker Avi (Dennis Farina) and his hired hand Bullet Tooth Tony (Vinnie Jones).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

It would probably take two or three viewings to work out all the plot twists of Snatch. Actually, it's to the credit of writer-director Guy Ritchie that these tangled relationships are as clear as they are. But plot isn't what this movie is about. Mixing Damon Runyon's love of lowlife lingo ("Who took the jam out of your doughnut?") with a bit of Tarantino-ish violence, the plot is just a frame for a gallery of eccentric characters, lively dialogue, and offbeat situations.

The ensemble cast provides many delightful characterizations, including British comic Alan Ford as crime boss Brick Top and Brad Pitt as an Irish gypsy with an accent so thick that no one can understand anything he says. Energetic as it is, Snatch isn't for all tastes. The incessant violence will bother some viewers, particularly a few scenes that cross the line from comical to nasty. One eighteen-year-old viewer felt that "The movie threw too much stuff at you--I never knew where it was going to go." His girlfriend liked the characters, and was pleasantly surprised at how good Pitt was in a non-starring role, but had trouble with the accents and overall found it "way too violent."

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: October 17, 2002
DVD release: October 17, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong violence, language and nudity

This review was written by M. Faust
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

Entropy
teen, 15 years old
 
Amazing Performance!
Awesome movie! Fast Paced, Hilarious, With lots of great twists! This is by far my favorite Guy Richie film!

 
Duh it's not for kids. Look at the cover. BTW, no need to *** the middle of the title. It's not a porn reference. It's title, as in, "to STEAL or take away... gangster movie about stolen diamonds." Eeesh.

Julie3000x
teen, 18 years old
 
This was one of my favorite movies of all time! I personally liked it better than lock, stock and two smoking barrels. The characters are better and its way faster paced.

thejokerspencil
parent of and 3 , 11 , 12 , 17 year old
 
Dark and Dusty
Guy just doesn't have it in him.

 
Amazing Artistry WITHOUT the Blood and Gore, as Many Presume
"sn***h" is a film directed and written by Guy Ritchie, famous for other such works as "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels," (1998) as well as "RocknRolla" (2008). It was released in the USA in January of 2001. "sn***h" is a classic tale of man vs. man vs. more men vs. Russian (vs. pigs). The main protagonist (though the story takes many branches along the way) is a man by the name of Turkish. His life has always been on the wrong side of gambles, and now he is presented with what seems a simple task: have a fighter go down in the fourth round during an illegal, underground boxing match. However, when his fighter is knocked-out cold while pursuing a new caravan for the "headquarters" (if you will), Turkish's plans become significantly more challenging. In another part of London, away from the Pikey Gypsy camp, a group of jewelers/thugs discover an 86 carat diamond, which more than a couple people seek, some of who are: Boris "The Blade" (a.k.a Boris "The Bullet Dodger"), Avi, Bullet Tooth Tony, and Franky Four Fingers (just to name a few). "sn***h" is truly a delightful film, full of wonderful artistry, character interplay, and plot development. The cinematography is beautiful, under the expertise direction of Mr. Ritchie. While the language is a bit coarse, it hardly detracts from the overall effect the movie has on an audience. Ritchie also presents violence in an interesting manner: nearly all of it is unseen, performed off-screen. Only a handful scenes contain actual blood in them; everything else is insinuated as violence, but never actually shown. A promising film, truly great for all ages that can handle the coarse language. A must see!

bballdiaries
teen, 17 years old
 
meeeehhhh
welll, i didnt really like this fiilm, it was , euh, the same movie as lock stock and two smoking barrels, only lock stock was MUCH better! dont get me wrong this is a MEDIOCRE movie , not bad , but nothing great, one of brads best acting moments. **13over

 
Fun for adults
This movie would have been so much greater if they could restrain the language and violence. The story was funny, fast paced and really enjoyable. Too bad they always have to ruin it with a bit of something, in this case the "f" word.

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