Snatch

The tabloids may have been more concerned with his recent nuptials, but here at Union Films we're more concerned about what really matters - the films, and so the film we shall discuss.

No one could accuse Guy Ritchie's films of being slow. While Lock Stock... had a frantic comic timing, Snatch is a darker affair. It has a pace that keeps things moving nicely between the dramatic set pieces, barely letting up to let you catch your breath. Not to say that it doesn't have its comic moments, it does, it's just that things aren't always played for laughs as in Lock Stock...

As for the story, well you can take your pick. You're a boxing promoter, in search of a nice second hand caravan. Your best fighter who seems to resemble a big Hollywood star has had an 'accident' and can't fight. Not so much a problem, but he'll miss a fight arranged by a mean crime boss who makes Phil Mitchell look like and sissy and feeds people to pigs. You really don't want to make him mad, so what do you do?

Alternatively you're a diamond merchant with dodgy connections and a love of large blond women with a penchant for hugely oversized earrings (OK, maybe not the last bit). You want a nice diamond to make a tidy profit, but it goes missing. What do you do? Why, you hire Vinnie Jones to get it back of course.

This is just a fraction of what goes on in Snatch, trying to cover all of the story would be like poking a crocodile in the eye, extremely hard to do properly and no real reason to do it anyway (although slightly less danger is involved). The fun comes from watching the multiple plot strands weave together towards an aggressive climax set to the beat of Oasis' "F**kin in the Bushes".

If you don't like watching a collection of ex-Eastenders, football players and Brad Pitt (though he does get beaten to a pulp quite a lot for those of you with a strong aversion to him) then you might not enjoy this film. If, however, you liked Lock, Stock... and enjoy going down the apples and pears for a cuppa Rosie Lee then this is perfect.