Snatch is a 2000 British crime comdey film written and directed by Guy Ritchie. Set in the London criminal underworld, the film contains two intertwined plots: one dealing with the search for a stolen diamond, the other with a small-time boxing promoter who finds himself under the thumb of a ruthless gangster who is ready and willing to have his subordinates carry out severe and sadistic acts of violence.
In the first frame we see the production company, Colombia Pictures.
We then see that the film is produced by an individual, Matthew Vaughn. A British producer known for similar films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Layer Cake and Kingsman: The Secret Service. The camera slowly pans upwards on a silhouette of a man's, instantly connoting mystery and power over the two men sat across from himwho are currently out of focus.
From this mid-shot we are introduced to two of the main characters. Both are dressed very smart, suggesting wealth yet are sat in very disinterested manner. Both look like they are bored or impatient. The character on the left, Turkish, narrates over the scene telling the story of how he got his name. This dialogue has comedic elements invloved, suggestin to the audience that it has satrical comedy amongst the crime. The camera then focuses on turkish with close-up, suggesting his primary role in the fim.
The camera then fades to black, suggesting passage of time, to a shot of a security camera. The use of the security feed suggests to the audience that the characters may be doing a criminal job of some description. The characters are dressed in a disguise of a jewish man, whilst we hear diegetic dialogue. This dialogue is accompanied by non-diegetic music, it sounds very comical mischevious, linking to the current scene. We also see the actor's name, Benicio Del Toro in white text with a burgundy highlight.
The camera then pans to the left whilst tracking the character's movements on an additional security monitor. Suggesting to the audience, that the building they are in is clearly large and is under heavy security.
The four characters then enter a tightly-packed elevator, signifying their tight relationship and ability to work in a team. When they exit, the camera pans upwards to yet another security monitor, however this camera work is effective because it is as if the audience are ascending up the building with the characters.
The camera continues to track the characters' movements through the use of multiple secuirty monitors. We then see them stop at a door, following this the camera pans away from the screen and onto the door the men enter the room in. This suggests to the audience how far deep the men have got into this building. It also now suggests that they may now have power and control, contrasting with the opening in which it seemed the silhouette had a degree of authority over the two other protagonists.
The character in the centre of the mid shot tears off his coat to reveal four guns, each memeber of the team take one of the firearms. At the point when the jacket is torn away, the music changes to high tempo, adrenaline pumping non-diegetic music to match the speed of the action. The camera quickly zooms into the main character to enforce the high-octane action.
We then see a high speed sequence of shots with massive amounts of jump cuts to enhance the speed of the action and to immerse the audience. When the camera zooms into each character, the camera rotates quickly to possibly connote the psychotic nature of the crime. The costumes of the victims suggest that this is some sort of office building; following this, one of the protagonists opens a vault which reveals a number of diamonds. An action match is used on the diamonds to suggest their importance. We then see a still shot of the protagonists hand wielding a gun, with the director's name underneath. Giving the implication that not only is this a crime film, but also a genre trademark of the director. The music then stops and the protagonist begins to question the the man in chrage of the office.
The camera then focuses on a large diamond, suggesting its significance to the plot. This shot is accompanied by non-diegetic sleek music. Further implying the team's success and effience.
The camera once again focuses on the diamond, reiterating its importance, revealing the title of the film 'Snatch'. A clear reference to the theft of the precious gem; also 'Snatch' is that of cockney dialect, relating to the film's setting. The shot then shifts to letterbox format and rotates around the diamond to reveal a clever transition to a different man. Suggesting the criminal aspect of the film and the important trade of diamonds. His suit suggests he is a wealthy business man who may play a major role in the diamond trade industry.
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