Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - mini-review

This weekend I did some homework -- some Guy Ritchie homework as I had never seen one of his films. He's directing Gerard Butler's upcoming RocknRolla due out this fall. I remembered lots of talk ten years ago about his wunderkind first movie as both writer and director: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. RocknRolla is supposed to be another English ganster caper film in a similar vein.

The film starts out with an amazing parade of characters. It feels confusing at first and you fear that you'll never figure out who goes with who. Roger Ebert joked in his review that he wished the gangsters were wearing nametags! And the Cockney language takes some getting used to. Ritchie had some authentic East Enders in the film and they use the rhyming slang of the streets-- "Chevy Chase" for face, for example.

This is a madcap plot, as we follow the adventures of Eddie and his pals as they get in over their heads with some local gangsters. Sting makes an appearance as Eddie's father and his bar is in danger as the big cheese gangster may demand it as payment for Eddie's debt.

This movie owes an homage to Quentin Tarrantino, but then what modern gangster film doesn't. It has lots of comedy mixed with the violence. You can certainly tell that Ritchie was a director of music videos and commercials. There are many stylistic flourishes -- lots of slo-mo and freezes, but I really enjoyed all that. It certainly was visually interesting! But the best thing is the characters and their names! I especially like Barry the Baptist -- evidently played by a former pro-wrestler in England. Jason Statham started his film career with Lock, Stock as one of Eddie's buddies named Bacon because he's spent so much time under arrest he's almost become a pig himself!

I give this excellent film 4 stars. It's really fun and has a satisfying finish after a wild ride. If you're looking forward to RocknRolla, you should really give this one a rental. Don't be put off by the confusing beginning -- it all makes sense by the end. I don't know if Guy Ritchie reached as great success again, but the man has talent, that's for sure. Have to check out Snatch next and let you know about that one, but I'll skip Swept Away (his film with Madonna). This film makes me even more anxious to see what he does with some bigger stars like Tom Wilkinson in RocknRolla. Can't wait! Guy Ritchie certainly is much more than just Mr. Madonna!