"A Disgrace to Criminals Everywhere."
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Two Antique Shotguns
The shotguns represent the unpredictable nature of value and the ignorance of the characters. Initially seen as just tools for a robbery, their immense monetary worth is unknown to most who possess them. They symbolize the hidden opportunities and unforeseen consequences that lie beneath the surface of the criminal world.
The shotguns are a central plot device, passing through the hands of multiple groups of criminals, each unaware of their true value. Their journey through the story connects the various subplots and ultimately becomes the focus of the film's cliffhanger ending, where their fate, and the fate of the protagonists, is left hanging in the balance.
The Rigged Card Game
The card game symbolizes the deceptive and treacherous nature of the criminal underworld. It's a world where the rules are not what they seem and where outsiders are easily taken advantage of by more powerful and ruthless players. It represents the loss of control and the descent into a world of debt and violence.
Early in the film, Eddie's confidence is shattered when he loses a rigged game of three-card brag to "Hatchet" Harry. This event is the catalyst for the entire plot, plunging the four friends into a desperate situation and forcing them to enter the criminal world in a much more dangerous capacity.
Philosophical Questions
To what extent are our lives governed by chance versus our own choices?
The film constantly plays with the idea of fate and free will. Eddie's decision to play in the rigged card game sets the plot in motion, but the subsequent events are a cascade of unforeseen coincidences and accidents. The complex web of intersecting storylines suggests that while individual choices are important, their outcomes are often dictated by external factors beyond anyone's control. The survival of the main characters is ultimately a result of a series of lucky breaks rather than any masterful planning on their part.
Can a person be morally upright in a corrupt world?
The character of Soap grapples with this question throughout the film. He is a man with a conscience who is dragged into the criminal underworld by his friends. His reluctance and constant worrying highlight the moral compromises one has to make to survive in such an environment. The character of Big Chris also raises interesting questions about morality. He is a violent criminal, yet he adheres to a strict personal code and is a loving father. The film suggests that morality is not black and white, and even in the most corrupt of worlds, individuals can still possess their own unique, if skewed, moral compass.
Core Meaning
At its core, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" is a darkly comedic exploration of the roles of chance, desperation, and incompetence in the criminal underworld. The film suggests that even the most carefully laid plans can be upended by unforeseen circumstances and the sheer ineptitude of those involved. Director Guy Ritchie seems to be saying that the world of small-time crime is not one of masterful criminals but rather one of flawed, often foolish individuals caught in a chaotic whirlwind of their own making. The intersecting storylines, which ultimately converge in a bloody and ironic climax, highlight the interconnectedness of actions and consequences, often with unforeseen and fatal results for the characters. Ultimately, the film presents a cynical yet humorous view of crime, where survival is less about skill and more about sheer luck.