Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels: There’s No Honor Among These Bumbling Thieves

comedy, crime, indie

2:00

1998

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on Apr 25, 2018

Err, bad breath, colorful language, feather duster. What do you think they’re gonna be armed with? GUNS, you tit!

It’s said that there’s no honor among thieves, and I can’t think of any better example of this in action than British crime film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. This is the directorial debut of Guy Ritchie (Snatch, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) and it stars Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, and Nick Moran. This is a story from the criminal underground of London, and it’s got lots of British charm and sensibility that makes this stand out from the crowded genre of American crime films. The script is also exceptionally smart, especially for a first feature film from the writer/director. If you like crime films but want something delightfully different, this will probably fit the bill.

The film opens with four friends pooling together 100,000 pounds to take part in a high-stakes poker game with some less respectable characters. Not only do they lose their money—they end up 500,000 pounds in debt, and have one week to come up with the money before they start losing fingers. They catch word of some common thugs planning to rob a local drug distributor, and immediately make plans to rob the thugs after the initial robbery. Paths cross with some other criminals, and things end up way, way out of their control.

Well, fucking shoot ’em back!

This film caught me by surprise. In the beginning, things seem to be happening haphazardly, with disparate pieces moving independently and, at times, slowly. This all comes together in the brilliant finale of the film. There is nothing random or careless about this plot—it’s a very tight script, and it gets better and better as it goes on. Seeing how perfectly things came together in the end almost made me start it over as soon as it ended, the same way you want to re-watch a movie with a huge plot twist to see how it was foreshadowed. There’s not a piece out of place. Every scene is necessary here, and it all works.

As a crime film, this has its share of dark and serious moments, but there are also some very funny moments in this film. Most of the characters are hilariously incompetent in one way or another (though not absurdly so), and watching them struggle to contain the growing disaster of a situation is really entertaining. Really, this is a winsome film with a lot of charm, despite some graphic violence and less than noble characters. All of the characters are great, but the character of Big Chris, which was the film acting debut of Vinnie Jones, was exceptionally well done and acted. And, for a film about four bumbling British blokes in way over their heads in the London criminal underground, this movie has about the best ending I can think of.

Should I Watch Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels?

Guy Ritchie knocked it out of the park with Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, his first feature film as a writer and director. His second film, Snatch, got a bigger budget and had a little more polish, but this film’s got heart and an exceptionally smart script. This is a very entertaining film and there’s a lot to love here. If you’re not used to hearing British accents, you might want to watch it with subtitles—the dialogue goes by pretty quickly. If you’re a fan of quirky British dark comedies or crime films in general, you will probably love this movie.

Movies Like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels

Snatch (2000) - Guy Ritchie’s second film, Snatch, was also a great crime-comedy film and is a must-see if you liked Lock, Stock. The self-deprecating British humor is back, and Brad Pitt has an amazing performance as Mickey the gypsy boxer. The plot is a little more straightforward, though it’s very entertaining.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - Tarantino is the American equivalent of Ritchie, and Pulp Fiction shares a lot with Lock, Stock: a complex plot that comes together in surprising ways: witty dialogue, badass but bumbling criminals, and an over-the-top style. It’s also a crime genre classic, so if you like crime films and haven’t seen it, check it out!
Seven Psychopaths (2012) - The writing style and feel are pretty similar, but the plot is wildly different. A writer gets mixed up with a group of criminals. The writer’s viewpoint provides a clever vehicle for deconstruction and self-aware meta genre references. If you want a clever crime film, though, it’s a great one.

Runtime: 2:00
Director: Guy Ritchie
Year: 1998
Genres: comedy, crime, indie
Rating: PG

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.