Review: Snatch DVD

In a word? Pikey. The first time I popped this DVD into my player and pulled up the menu screen, I scanned through the options and almost immediately asked out loud, “What the heck is Pikey?” I’m not sure who I expected to answer, perhaps the ghost of Guy Ritchie. Upon learning that the Pikey subtitle option is used to display subtitles only for a specific character, I then asked the ghost, “Why does he need subtitles?” Cut to the first time Mickey speaks and I start fumbling for the remote control to bring up those Pikey subtitles.

You’d expect that type of experience to frustrate the viewer and take away from the enjoyment of the movie. It actually landed Snatch on my list of must buy DVDs. Brad Pitt’s character, One Punch Mickey, is unintelligible for 95% of the movie, but it doesn’t matter. He never speaks without clear context or being translated. Having the subtitles is just a little extra fun from Ritchie to you, the viewer, acknowledging that the diehards and nerds among us would demand to know the actual lines and attempt to decipher Mickey’s dialogue.

Besides the Pikey subtitles, there are limited special features on the disc, but it does include both widescreen and full frame versions of the film. There are also the requisite deleted scenes.

The story – which is practically irrelevant – involves a diamond heist, gambling debts, boxing matches and several characters trying to one-up several other characters to varying degrees of success.

In a series of situations in which it is often difficult to identify a hero, and the term “bad guy” is completely relative, Snatch delivers enough light-heartedness and humor to keep you rooting for somebody throughout all the madness.

The movie is nearly frantic in pace, a twisty roller-coaster guaranteed to keep you as off-balance as the overmatched boxers that face Mickey. The editing is first-rate and the casting is perfect. There’s also fantastic music. It’s certainly not tear-jerking or thought-provoking. It’s not an epic or a romantic escapade. It’s simple and it’s fun. It’s a good time that doesn’t pretend to be anything more. This is not the love of your life; it’s a fondly remembered fling and proud of it.