Snatch

Movie review by M. Faust, Common Sense Media
Snatch Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Dark crime comedy has graphic violence, language.

R 2002 102 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 12 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 16 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Snatch is a 2000 dark crime comedy directed by Guy Richie. Violence, darkly comic or otherwise, is a feature in almost every scene. Characters are killed through firearm violence, plastic bag asphyxiation. Bare-knuckle boxing scenes are extended, violent, and bloody. All of the characters are gangsters and criminals, most of whom drink, smoke, swear, and brawl on a continual basis. Characters use frequent racial, ethnic, and religious slurs. In this criminal world, the issue of law is nonexistent. "F--k" frequently used; "motherf--ker" and "c--t" also used. A brief scene in a bar includes topless dancers. A deck of playing cards with photos of bare-breasted women is seen. When it's believed that the dog in the room has swallowed the missing diamond, characters suggest opening up the dog with a knife in order to find the diamond.

Community Reviews

JElleray
JElleray Adult
February 11, 2022
age 12+

Class film

The film doesn't have much violence, just a bit of boxing and some gun violence. Brad Pitt's excellent performance me cum. Now the film isn't highly rated but that's because the people who rate films aren't British

This title has:

Great role models
James Hedrick
James Hedrick Adult
June 14, 2021
age 18+

Dark Action Comedy

Snatch is one hell of a ride laden with snappy pacing and darkly hilarious dialogue. The timing and comedic pacing are among the best I have seen in films of this kind, with one interwoven set of characters and story blending seamlessly into another. The movie well made, acted and directed and is thoroughly entertaining. However, due to the frequent graphic violence and language this film is best saved for an exclusively adult audience. The film is not serious and the violence and language contribute to the overall comedic effect, but may still be too much for those under 18 or simply oversensitive to adult content.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in London, Guy Richie'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?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ways in which violence was conveyed in this movie. How was it used for comedic effect, for instance?

  • Why do you think there continues to be an appeal for movies filled with "anti-hero" characters -- characters who continually make bad choices, resort to crime and violence to get what they want, curse, drink, smoke?

  • What do you think would be the challenges in making or writing a movie like this one in which there are so many lead characters?

Movie Details

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