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Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Play trailer Poster for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels R Released Mar 5, 1998 1h 45m Comedy Drama Action Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
75% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Eddy (Nick Moran) convinces three friends to pool funds for a high-stakes poker game against local crime boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Harry cheats and Eddy loses, giving him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds or hand over his father's pub. Desperate, Eddy and his friends wait for their neighbors to rob some drug dealers, then rob the robbers in turn. After both thefts, the number of interested criminal parties increases, with the four friends in dangerously over their heads.
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Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

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Critics Consensus

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a grimy, twisted, and funny twist on the Tarantino hip gangster formula.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Kennedy Out Magazine What ensues is an ultimatum; a clumsy caper with so many characters they'd overwhelm a lesser movie; and a tremendous amount of mayhem that, while putting our boys squarely in the line of fire, really does stay aggressively this side of funny. May 25, 2022 Full Review Rex Reed Observer It roars and ignites and hits the ground running. Mar 21, 2019 Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal A n inverse cost-to-quality ratio seems to have been operating in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," Guy Ritchie's debut feature about four cocky young men coming up against major thugs in London's East End. Apr 4, 2018 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...dense, impenetrable... Rated: 1/4 Dec 30, 2021 Full Review Rob Harvilla The Ringer Guy Ritchie's scrappy, twisty, cheerfully ultraviolent tale of hapless small-time English hoodlums might be his best work. Mar 26, 2019 Full Review CSM Staff Christian Science Monitor The humor is as rude and crude as the characters, but the picture certainly isn't lacking in energy. Rated: 2/4 Mar 21, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aleksandar D Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels barrels onto the screen with a chaotic charm that’s impossible to ignore. Equal parts gritty and hilarious, it’s a film that dances between crime thriller and dark comedy, with a swagger that feels uniquely British. It’s not perfect, but its imperfections only seem to add to its character, much like a slightly scuffed vintage wine glass - still functional, still beautiful, and full of stories. The plot twists and turns like a London back alley, introducing us to Eddie and his crew - friends bound by camaraderie and a shared knack for getting into deep trouble. Their high-stakes card game leads to a massive debt owed to a ruthless gangster, triggering a series of events involving guns, drugs, and enough misunderstandings to fill a Shakespearean comedy. Ritchie’s knack for juggling multiple subplots is on full display here, creating a story that’s tightly wound yet satisfyingly unruly. The dialogue crackles with sharp wit, delivered by a cast that oozes authenticity. Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, and Jason Statham (in his debut!) bring an everyman relatability to their roles, even as their characters make increasingly absurd decisions. Meanwhile, the supporting cast, including the ever-menacing Vinnie Jones, lends an air of unpredictable danger. Visually, the film is a masterclass in style. From its washed-out colour palette to the quick cuts and frenetic pacing, it’s a visual embodiment of the chaos unfolding on-screen. The soundtrack is equally noteworthy, with its eclectic mix of rock, soul, and reggae adding to the film’s gritty, underground vibe. If there’s a fault to find, it’s that the film’s relentless energy can feel a touch overwhelming at times. The rapid-fire editing and thick Cockney accents may leave some viewers feeling as if they’ve missed a beat or two. But honestly, isn’t that part of the fun? The movie thrives on its unapologetic pace, daring you to keep up. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a bold debut that established Ritchie as a filmmaker with a distinct voice. It’s rough around the edges but brimming with personality - a testament to what happens when style and substance collide. For fans of clever storytelling, eccentric characters, and a dash of mayhem, this one’s a must-watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review Faiz D Guy Ritchie made an outstanding debut with 'Lock, Stock'. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review David H An innovative and creative blueprint was born which carries on successfully to this day Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review Alex F A very good and unique film. In some ways, it feels like a British Pulp Fiction. Clever writing from Guy Ritchie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/12/24 Full Review Audience Member A cliche British gangster film that hasn't dated well, despite the cast being decent enough. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/20/24 Full Review Mike K One of my favorite movies of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Eddy (Nick Moran) convinces three friends to pool funds for a high-stakes poker game against local crime boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Harry cheats and Eddy loses, giving him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds or hand over his father's pub. Desperate, Eddy and his friends wait for their neighbors to rob some drug dealers, then rob the robbers in turn. After both thefts, the number of interested criminal parties increases, with the four friends in dangerously over their heads.
Director
Guy Ritchie
Producer
Matthew Vaughn
Screenwriter
Guy Ritchie
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
Handmade Films, The Steve Tisch Company, SKA Films, Summit Entertainment, Steve Tisch Company, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Action, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 5, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.7M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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