Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Written and Directed by Guy Ritchie
Nick Moran, Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Jason Statham, Steven Mackintosh, Vinnie Jones, Peter McNicholl, PH Moriarty, Lenny McClean, Sting.
Eddie (Moran) and his three pals live in the rough side of London. They’ve scraped together £100k for card shark Eddie, to join an underground card game against the mobster ‘Hatchet Harry’ (Moriarty). When Eddie not only loses, but now owes Harry £500k, the lads must come up with a way to find the money… in 7 days.
Very well directed film, and debut of Ritchie, who would go on to excel in the genre of the London crime world. Ritchie begins his trademarks of dark colour shades to create a gritty atmosphere, and the use of slow motion to regular and sped up in the same shot. This film has a similar ‘feel’ to it as what Tarantino did with Dogs, as a first time director. But my favourite shot, is a blink and you’ll miss it (no pun intended) when Eddie opens his eyes and his pupils dilate.
The cast, although quite congested – works for what each of the ‘groups’ brings to their respective parts of the story. The way they all come together in the end is cleverly written, with each doing their parts justice. It is also important to note that this is also the film debut of both Statham and Jones, who would go on to be big names in Hollywood just a few years later.
The lead characters are all extremely likeable, although Eddie is the primary protagonist, so others like Soap, Bacon and Tom are all a little underwritten. Secondary characters, like villains Harry and Rory are well written, and don’t seem to be men you want to trifle with. The MVP goes to Jones as Big Chris. Sting’s cameo seems a little on the nose, especially considering wife Trudie Styler was a producer.
The screenplay is well paced, and complements the location of the lifestyles of gangsters in the area of seedy London. It might be hard to understand for those who haven’t grown up with people who have these accents, or around the area. The narration within, isn’t overbearing or overdone either.
A steady runtime of just under 2hrs, it is easy to get through, and paced well.
There is a fun score, and soundtrack that plays within the film too (that Richie’s soon to be wife helped produce through her record label.
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