MYST Post #1: Snatch

            I remember when I first watched this movie it was at night with my dad and I did not quite know what to expect.  The movie recommendations from my dad are either hit or miss so I did not know if this was going to be two hours well spent or two hours spent looking at the clock.  I am glad to say that Snatch was an awesome movie that I now have to watch every time it’s on.  The story revolves around different groups of seedy men all involved in some sort of underground business, and they all get connected by a priceless giant diamond.  It is a crime thriller with a comic tone to it and includes actors like, Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, and Benicio Del Toro.  It is directed by Guy Ritchie and is considered a follow up to Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.  Although similar in style and technique I definitely prefer Snatch, because it used the efforts of the first movie to perfect it. 

           This movie flows and moves quickly; almost every shot that is used is a dolly shot or some other form of moving shot.  When the characters and camera are not moving, the cuts are very quick and very short.  This helps keep the audience on its down by helping the plot seem unsettled and the future story as unpredictable.  Also used in the movie is a very dull color scheme.  The whole movie seems to be shot through a blue steel lens that keeps the movie gritty and not overly comedic.  With these used in combination it gives a unique movie experience because not many movies are done this way.  Guy Ritchie will use this same method again in the Sherlock Holmes movies.

 

            The scene in my opinion that epitomizes the movie is when early on, two of the main characters wish to buy a caravan from the local gypsies and after many odd interactions with them, they are introduced to their leader played by Brad Pitt.  This leads to the failed negotiation on price and the determination that the only way to settle it is in a Bare knuckle boxing match.  The two main characters are confident in this proposition, because after all, they have the Heavyweight underground boxing champion fighting for them.  The fight starts with their boxer, “Gorgeous George”, giving the much smaller Brad Pitt a nasty beating while he seems to be stretching out.  After being warmed up he knocks out George and for a while thinks he killed him, which makes out horribly for the main characters because they may have witnessed murder committed and gypsies do not like to leave witnesses.  The scene works because although it seems almost pointless to the plot, it is weaved perfectly into the movie and used to throw the movie even further into uncertainty.  It continues to show that movie will intertwine action with humor with quirky dialogue and odd characters.  It is at this point in the movie where you begin to understand the process that the movie will use. 

 

            I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the stereotypically male genres of Action, Adventure, Thriller, or Comedy. Also if you enjoyed, Pulp Fiction, The Boondock Saints, or Lock Stock and Two smoking barrels then you will enjoy this movie as well.  I will have to give this move a solid 4 out of 5 Danny Devitos