Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Name: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Genre: Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Released: March 5, 1999
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Dexter Fletcher, Jason Flemyng

1999

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 231 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 231 Ratings

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Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels

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Movie Details & Credits

Gramercy Pictures (I) | Release Date: March 5, 1999 | R

Starring: Dexter Fletcher, Jason Flemyng

Summary: In this wild comedy of errors, a group of London friends find themselves deep in debt to an unsavory underworld figure.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Genre(s): Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Awards & Rankings

73	#73 Best Movie of 1999
22	#22 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
26	#26 Most Shared Movie of 1999

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Peter Travers

A dynamite bundle from British writer-director Guy Ritchie. Even when the accents are as indecipherable as the plot, Ritchie keeps the action percolating and the humor on high. Read full review

Marc Savlov

With such a frenetic, brain-melting load of images to ponder, it's easy to forget that there are also some terrific actors at work here, not the least of whom is the amazing Vinnie Jones. Read full review

Ron Wells

Lock is filled with great writing, great acting, colorful characters, and a tight story. I actually like this film more than "Pulp Fiction". Read full review

John Petrakis

Plenty of fun, less for its many plot twists than for its large and varied assortment of vibrant characters. [12 Mar 1999]

Derek Elley

Though Ritchie’s screenplay scores a 10 for sheer complexity and cleverness, it rates much lower down the scale for comprehensibility and audience involvement.

Mike Clark

A half-funny, half-ugly comedy about underworld ineptitude. [5 Mar 1999]

Manohla Dargis

The tediously convoluted plot involves the foursome’s attempt to pay him back, a labored venture that involves crooks with names like Dog and Plank, a man on fire, some fine cinematography, plenty of gore though no real point. Read full review

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User Reviews

NickR.

Aug 15, 2009

Fantastic Cockney Gangster Film!

0 of 1 users found this helpful

insightful2001

Dec 3, 2013

This is about as good a movie about the East End that you can get. Not sure Americans can get the layers and implications, however, stating fact, Americans cannot make movies like this. Beneath every grimace, scowl or threatening words, there's history and culture and classes. The toffs asThis is about as good a movie about the East End that you can get. Not sure Americans can get the layers and implications, however, stating fact, Americans cannot make movies like this. Beneath every grimace, scowl or threatening words, there's history and culture and classes. The toffs as opposed to the yardies and the locals make this a treasure. Even though all Brits understand each other, language is only half the picture. Our verbals tell us within a few sentences almost everything about that person. Education, social class, status etc. Our villains are true villains. Well hard! Blokes who'll put it about with their fists and character. The multi layers of any interaction actually mean, unless you are from the UK, you get only 50% of the communication. We are connected in such a way that the Queen's beans on toast would be the same as the lad from Peckham. Prince Phillip is excluded since he is as unBrit as Madge, (Madonna). We actually live and die together as a nation, as one. We really know each other!
This movie weaves East End culture like a Terry McCann, Arfur Daley episode. Essentially it's a gem!
Something that reflects everything British, not the PBS codswallop, Americans are enamored with.
It makes one almost sad that everyone except a Brit is able to understand the complexity and wonder that this movie is. That beautiful language that is evident, took centuries. The slang and violence doesn't convey except to a non Brit, just how gentle and patient the people are. Eg. and this isn't racist, simply trying to convey the beauty that is Britain. Black players are revered in Milwall.
The language used here is probably baffling to non Brits, which is exactly the effect intended. Unless you know specifically what you are talking about Critics, you only demonstrate ignorance and how daft you really are.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AdamS.

Oct 27, 2005

Brilliant plot development. Guy Ritchie proves that he has what it takes with this movie. It outshines, dare I say it, Quentin Tarantino and Pulp Fiction.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

LevelsAndGear

Sep 7, 2012

Pros: Funny, clever, action packed.

Cons: Too British, predictable, nasty language I say Get it, and if you get it, you'll get it. As a disclaimer, I should point out this movie is not for everyone, it has a pile of nasty language, a small amount of gratuitous nudity, and a bitPros: Funny, clever, action packed.

Cons: Too British, predictable, nasty language

I say Get it, and if you get it, you'll get it. As a disclaimer, I should point out this movie is not for everyone, it has a pile of nasty language, a small amount of gratuitous nudity, and a bit (although not to graphic) of violence. Also, if you don't like Monty Python or movies like Pulp Fiction, you won't like this movie. However, if you pass those litmus tests, you are in for a great ride. The story of how poor communication and crime leads to the downfall of virtually everyone, this clever action comedy has a great story, some great one liners, and characterization that deserves high accolades. Although at the end of the movie you get the point and it is a bit predictable, there is always another surprise waiting for you, and even guessing the plot outcomes is part of the fun. Putting all the pieces together gives one as much enjoyment as watching them unfold (usually with a twist) in this film. Definitely worth a rent, check it out.

(NOTE: This review was originally written on Oct 12 '99)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Popcorn12345

Jul 15, 2013

Absolute classic Amazing film. Funny gags and one-liners, great action and the way that all the different character's story's come together is genius. 10/10.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mglovesfun

Jan 29, 2020

This is generally gritty and funny. The plot is well-paced and well thought-through. A good level of originality.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mordillo

Jun 19, 2011

It was impossible for me to become involved with this film. None of the actors convinced me. Every line of dialogue they spat out sounded so forced, like they didn't believe in the characters they were playing. Some of the dialogue isn't very well written in the first place. There's one lineIt was impossible for me to become involved with this film. None of the actors convinced me. Every line of dialogue they spat out sounded so forced, like they didn't believe in the characters they were playing. Some of the dialogue isn't very well written in the first place. There's one line that Dexter Fletcher said that goes "Also, I think knives are a good idea... Knives are good, because they don't make any noise, and the less noise they make, the more likely we are to use them", and I thought to myself, Is this guy trying to sell me knives? Vinnie Jones was the only one who really impressed me. I wanted to see more of the guy. He played his part perfectly, nailed every scene he was in, and I loved that his character brought his son around for everything like it was "Bring Your Kid To Work Day". I also felt the narration by Alan Ford, you gotta love his accent, but I felt some of the stuff he narrated made it sound like he was talking down to me instead of telling me things I couldn't have figured out otherwise. It was condescending and intrusive, chiming in at all the wrong times. The only good writing is evident at the very end of the movie, the "cliffhanger" ending, which I thought was brilliantly scripted and played out. Another issue I have with the film is the dirty look it has. I know this is accounted for its low budget, but the amber lighting and the heavy grain, it's not a pretty mix, and it's one of the ugliest-looking films I've ever seen.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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