Analysis of Snatch (2000)

Snatch (2000) is a hybrid comedy crime film which was directed by Guy Ritchie. Upon its release, the film grossed $30,328,156 in the US and £12,137,698 in the UK . Though many critics responded negatively to the film, as it had similarities in plot, setting and characters with Ritchie's previous film Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

The film itself focuses on two intertwined plots, concerning the protagonist Turkish (Jason Statham ) where he has to recruit fighters such as the Pikey (Brad Pitt)as part of his deal to boost a fellow gangster Brick Top 's (Alan Ford) business . The other plot concerns the hunt for a diamond and the ways in which the gangsters fight to claim a stolen diamond.

In this scene, Bullet Tooth Tony (Vinnie Jones) confronts 3 gangsters in a pub, which is a iconic setting in crime films. These 3 gangsters seemingly threaten Tony , as signifieid in a two shot, where Tony is on the phone. The use of the over the shoulder shot signifies how the gangsters are more dominant, whereas Tony is seemingly vulnerable. In this way, the audience can identify with Tony, as he is intimidated by 3 armed men who could kill him.

However, the comical aspect of the scene is the fact that Tony doesn't fear the men, as signified in the scene, where he moves his head in a sort of bewildered way, as if to show his fearlessness and bravery, as the stereotypical British assassin. Funnily enough, the fact that Sol (Lennie James) has to take orders from Vincent (Robbie Gee) connotes how he is apprehensive and anxious, as signified with the medium shot of his hand trembling. As a result, his irrational feelings are signified, as he tries to shoot Tony but is stopped. The binary opposition of the criminals and the assassin is signified, as the 3 criminals tremble at seeing Tony react in a bold way.

The humour inflicted upon the criminals by Tony connotes his enjoyment at them being irrational and disorganised, as Vincent is represented as being the big d**** who is the leader of the gang with his accomplices being his two balls, which connotes how they are followers who are instructed to carry out actions by their supposed 'master'. What's more, Vincent's facial expressions and gestures connote uneasiness and anxiety, as he awkwardly holds the gun. The fact that Tony senses fear, makes the gang members have second thoughts, as they do not know what Tony will say or do next.

Funnily enough, Tony notices 'Replica' etched across the sides of thier guns in a medium shot , this therefore connotes how the gang are incompetent and amateur gangsters who are outfoxed by a professional criminal. Tony's instinct comes into play as he is able to spot the finer details. The tracking shot of the guns supports Tony's instinct, as the non deigetic sound of mechanical sound connotes how they are truly stupid. However, the use of a zoom on Tony's gun shows the contrast in intelligence and authenticity of weapons, as Tony is a clear expereinces criminal who is better than the amateurs. The use of the non deigetic sound of the subtle guitar fade connotes the shock of the criminals, as they have been made to look like idiots by the victim. In this way, he asserts his dominant status as he instills a sense of fear into the gang.

As a result the long shot of the gang walking away signifies thier defeat and connotes how they are not really brave and hardline criminals.