I have never been much of a fan of The Rock. My love of professional wrestling tapered off around the time I was about 15 years old, and that was before The Rock's heydey. His movies (the ones I have seen) have been marginal at best in my opinion. But for a guy who was ushered into the field of acting to capitalize on his popularity and not to win Academy Awards, he has come a long way from The Scorpion King. What I liked about "Snitch" is it's the anti-action movie. I expected a movie like the terrible "Last Stand" starring Ah-nold Schwarzenegger. I expected fabricated car chases and shootouts where the bad guys must be shooting blanks because they are unable to shoot the good guy even when they have a clear shot. I expected scenes where The Rock would beat up 10 guys who all take turns coming at him instead of simply jumping him. But "Snitch" was different. It's a story of the lengths a father will go to help his son. I don't want to give away any spoilers but he goes very far. The Rock -- he's credited as Dwayne Johnson (I guess so viewers take the movie seriously) -- is very believable and does himself proud with some consistent good acting. He shows the trepidation and vulnerability of a father who puts his life on the line to save his son, who is imprisoned after committing a dumb crime. But the actor who steals the movie is John Bernthal, who plays an ex-con trying to live an honest life but is dragged back to the dark side in order to help The Rock, whom he works for doing construction. Michael Kenneth Williams will forever be known as "Omar" and is typecast but does a good turn as a drug dealer. The other supporting cast, including Susan Sarandon as a district attorney, are excellent. "Snitch" moves at a deliberate pace, which gives it more of a natural and believable feel. The few action sequences are good and do not seem overly exaggerated. I will go out on a limb and say this movie will not be nominated for Best Picture, but compared with the junk I've seen so far this year (including the latest Die Hard), I recommend "Snitch".
174 Reviews
More like a TV movie, but really decent
siderite22 May 2013
I expected this to be a more physical type of movie, more suited to The Rock, but it actually wasn't that at all. He plays the role of a dad caught between two rival gangs: the DEA and a drug cartel. The stakes: get his son out from prison where he pretty much was tricked into entering.
The part that I felt most vividly about was this dirty aspect of the law called Minimum Mandatory Sentencing. A kid receives a package from a friend, filled with MDMA pills and then is caught by the police. The law required that he either rat somebody out or serve a minimum of 10 years in jail. That pretty much is the end of life for an 18 year old kid. I wonder, what if Dwayne Johnson's character would have been a tough muscle guy with a lot of guns? Wouldn't he feel it "mandatory" to kill at least two prosecutors?
The bottom line is that the movie had, beside the obvious thriller action bit, a deeper message about rigid laws that force, nothing more than the threats to your family that a gangster would use. I quite liked the film. The quality of it, though, was more like that of a TV movie. It must have been low budget, or at least it looked like that. Besides some of the names in the cast and the message I was talking about above, it was quite ordinary.
The part that I felt most vividly about was this dirty aspect of the law called Minimum Mandatory Sentencing. A kid receives a package from a friend, filled with MDMA pills and then is caught by the police. The law required that he either rat somebody out or serve a minimum of 10 years in jail. That pretty much is the end of life for an 18 year old kid. I wonder, what if Dwayne Johnson's character would have been a tough muscle guy with a lot of guns? Wouldn't he feel it "mandatory" to kill at least two prosecutors?
The bottom line is that the movie had, beside the obvious thriller action bit, a deeper message about rigid laws that force, nothing more than the threats to your family that a gangster would use. I quite liked the film. The quality of it, though, was more like that of a TV movie. It must have been low budget, or at least it looked like that. Besides some of the names in the cast and the message I was talking about above, it was quite ordinary.
Informing your way out of a jackpot
bkoganbing25 February 2013
Snitch is a searing indictment against the current drug laws and the fact that the draconian principles behind them. As we see in this film it forces those ensnared to become police informants on friends to get themselves out of a jackpot. Young Rafi Gavron gets himself in such a jackpot as a friend who does deal drugs sets Gavron up beautifully with enough Ecstasy to guarantee at least 10 years in Federal Penitentiary.
Young Gavron can work his way out of his jackpot, but the problem is that other than the kid who set him up, he doesn't know anyone in the illegal drug trade.
Dwayne Johnson is the kid's father and a working man who owns a construction company. He's divorced from Melina Kanakaredes, Gavron's mother and now he's got a second wife and child. Still he sees US Attorney Susan Sarandon and she's small comfort. She's running for elective office and is looking to get some big drug fish as notches on the prosecutorial gun.
So Johnson volunteers to bring in the big fish himself. Now he offers the use of his trucks to be drug couriers. But Sarandon and DEA agent Barry Pepper keep him in the game hoping for a bigger fish. Soon enough its one of the biggest fishes out there, a veritable whale in Mexican cartel leader Benjamin Bratt.
For action fans Snitch will definitely satisfy you. But also Dwayne Johnson creates a real character not a superhero. He's just an average man who is really putting himself in harm's way for his son.
The film reminds me a lot of both versions of 3:10 To Yuma where Van Heflin and Christian Bale are just citizens pressed into some disagreeable action like Johnson for the forces of law and order. There are also elements of the Robert Mitchum classic The Friends Of Eddie Coyle where Mitchum gets caught in the switches between the law and his criminal pals and is forced into the role of informer. The difference is that Mitchum is a petty crook and Johnson's a stand-up guy.
Susan Sarandon will chill you no end as the ambitious US Attorney who knows these laws are foul, but will use them for her own purposes. Also Barry Pepper as the law enforcement professional has some qualms and conscience. But even he's looking for the big bust and is willing to put Johnson on the line for it.
Snitch deals with the federal drug laws, but here in New York we pioneered that with the draconian Rockefeller drug laws. The sooner they're repealed the better, but we have to get through to some politicians who parade their law and order credentials by sponsoring such things.
This is a film both entertaining and informative and a real triumph for Dwayne Johnson.
Young Gavron can work his way out of his jackpot, but the problem is that other than the kid who set him up, he doesn't know anyone in the illegal drug trade.
Dwayne Johnson is the kid's father and a working man who owns a construction company. He's divorced from Melina Kanakaredes, Gavron's mother and now he's got a second wife and child. Still he sees US Attorney Susan Sarandon and she's small comfort. She's running for elective office and is looking to get some big drug fish as notches on the prosecutorial gun.
So Johnson volunteers to bring in the big fish himself. Now he offers the use of his trucks to be drug couriers. But Sarandon and DEA agent Barry Pepper keep him in the game hoping for a bigger fish. Soon enough its one of the biggest fishes out there, a veritable whale in Mexican cartel leader Benjamin Bratt.
For action fans Snitch will definitely satisfy you. But also Dwayne Johnson creates a real character not a superhero. He's just an average man who is really putting himself in harm's way for his son.
The film reminds me a lot of both versions of 3:10 To Yuma where Van Heflin and Christian Bale are just citizens pressed into some disagreeable action like Johnson for the forces of law and order. There are also elements of the Robert Mitchum classic The Friends Of Eddie Coyle where Mitchum gets caught in the switches between the law and his criminal pals and is forced into the role of informer. The difference is that Mitchum is a petty crook and Johnson's a stand-up guy.
Susan Sarandon will chill you no end as the ambitious US Attorney who knows these laws are foul, but will use them for her own purposes. Also Barry Pepper as the law enforcement professional has some qualms and conscience. But even he's looking for the big bust and is willing to put Johnson on the line for it.
Snitch deals with the federal drug laws, but here in New York we pioneered that with the draconian Rockefeller drug laws. The sooner they're repealed the better, but we have to get through to some politicians who parade their law and order credentials by sponsoring such things.
This is a film both entertaining and informative and a real triumph for Dwayne Johnson.
A tale of selfless love
Gordon-1123 June 2013
This film is about a construction company owner who is forced to make a choice when his son got involved in a drug deal.
I thought that the film would be an action packed thriller, as The Rock usually stars in these films. "Snitch" turns out to be an ordinary father who fights for his son's freedom, as there is a law that encourages drug dealers to frame other people to get their sentences reduced. I very much respect the fathers love for his son, that he would do anything to get the son's sentence reduced. He had to cross many lives, deal with international drug barons and risk his life, and that is a moving plot. Though there is not much adrenaline pumping action, this selfless love more than makes up for it. Who would have thought that a seemingly ultra masculine action film would have such a moving element?
I thought that the film would be an action packed thriller, as The Rock usually stars in these films. "Snitch" turns out to be an ordinary father who fights for his son's freedom, as there is a law that encourages drug dealers to frame other people to get their sentences reduced. I very much respect the fathers love for his son, that he would do anything to get the son's sentence reduced. He had to cross many lives, deal with international drug barons and risk his life, and that is a moving plot. Though there is not much adrenaline pumping action, this selfless love more than makes up for it. Who would have thought that a seemingly ultra masculine action film would have such a moving element?
"Snitch" Snitches on Messy US Drug Laws.
salbeibier22 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Hey guys, I'm giving this 7 out of 10. I liked it! Good setup and good follow-through.
When a friend offers to send him a package of ecstasy pills, teenager Jason Collins (Rafi Gavron) is more than a little reluctant, but still curious. He accepts, and bam, he's arrested for drug distribution and sentenced to 10 years. Kid's doomed unless he sells out somebody else, which he can't. He knows nobody in the drug scene. End of the line? Not if his dad John Matthews can help it. Good old man of action Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson slips into the market to sell the baddies out himself, and a tight action thriller ensues. "Snitch" delivers a solid plot, tension, drama and effective action in the right places. At the same time, it raises interesting observations about US drug laws.
"Inspired by true events," one of the first lines on the screen said. Oh well, I thought. Another one of those. Sells better, huh? Then, I learned about those true events going on in the US legal system. Wait a minute, a boy is caught with a box of ecstasy pills – no evidence he wanted to sell them, no criminal record – and he gets a mandatory minimum of 10 years in jail?! Um... This is a country where pedophiles and rapists can go free.
It reminded me of an interview with US economist Jeffrey Miron that, just a coincidence, I'd read the same day in German newspaper "Der Spiegel". Legalize drugs already, he says. Portugal did it, and they're fine! People here take them anyway! The nation could save tons of money, crime rates would go down, less people would die. Interesting, I thought as I watched the movie. Instead, there's expensive drug laws possibly doing more harm than good.
I was impressed with the detail put into the main characters. Matthews has two families: his ex-wife and son, and his current wife and little daughter. We see the effects of his actions - past, as a bad father, and present, as a drug informant – on both sides. We are also introduced to a ex-convict colleague he teams up with, that guy's family and the effects on them when things get tough. A rich plot and lot of tension derive from these back stories.
To boot, Susan Sarandon deserves special mention as the US District Attorney on the kid's case. Introduced as a cold, cynical bitch, she alternates between law enforcement, her agenda as a candidate for Congress, and eventually doing the right thing. But is it for the right reasons? She's an interesting character I could never completely dislike. Very nice performance.
All that said, "Snitch" isn't a deep masterpiece of modern cinema. Although slow-paced, it's designed as an action movie, with flashy stunts, a big ol' shootout and fist fights. The writing is effect- conscious, and so is the shaky-cam direction.
Looking around the Internet, I see "Snitch" receiving mixed reviews. Personally, I think this movie is well above average. Seeing it in the wake of the random and bad "A Good Day to Die Hard", I'll admit I was on the lookout for "this is how it's done, bitches" moments. Here are some: "The Rock" delivers a good performance in a rare serious role, a solid cast supports him, there's thought in the plot, characters are well- drawn with fleshed-out back stories, and they develop. Tangible stakes amount to "Breaking Bad"-level suspense, and you get well-placed, effective action scenes. Overall, "Snitch" makes for an evening well spent.
When a friend offers to send him a package of ecstasy pills, teenager Jason Collins (Rafi Gavron) is more than a little reluctant, but still curious. He accepts, and bam, he's arrested for drug distribution and sentenced to 10 years. Kid's doomed unless he sells out somebody else, which he can't. He knows nobody in the drug scene. End of the line? Not if his dad John Matthews can help it. Good old man of action Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson slips into the market to sell the baddies out himself, and a tight action thriller ensues. "Snitch" delivers a solid plot, tension, drama and effective action in the right places. At the same time, it raises interesting observations about US drug laws.
"Inspired by true events," one of the first lines on the screen said. Oh well, I thought. Another one of those. Sells better, huh? Then, I learned about those true events going on in the US legal system. Wait a minute, a boy is caught with a box of ecstasy pills – no evidence he wanted to sell them, no criminal record – and he gets a mandatory minimum of 10 years in jail?! Um... This is a country where pedophiles and rapists can go free.
It reminded me of an interview with US economist Jeffrey Miron that, just a coincidence, I'd read the same day in German newspaper "Der Spiegel". Legalize drugs already, he says. Portugal did it, and they're fine! People here take them anyway! The nation could save tons of money, crime rates would go down, less people would die. Interesting, I thought as I watched the movie. Instead, there's expensive drug laws possibly doing more harm than good.
I was impressed with the detail put into the main characters. Matthews has two families: his ex-wife and son, and his current wife and little daughter. We see the effects of his actions - past, as a bad father, and present, as a drug informant – on both sides. We are also introduced to a ex-convict colleague he teams up with, that guy's family and the effects on them when things get tough. A rich plot and lot of tension derive from these back stories.
To boot, Susan Sarandon deserves special mention as the US District Attorney on the kid's case. Introduced as a cold, cynical bitch, she alternates between law enforcement, her agenda as a candidate for Congress, and eventually doing the right thing. But is it for the right reasons? She's an interesting character I could never completely dislike. Very nice performance.
All that said, "Snitch" isn't a deep masterpiece of modern cinema. Although slow-paced, it's designed as an action movie, with flashy stunts, a big ol' shootout and fist fights. The writing is effect- conscious, and so is the shaky-cam direction.
Looking around the Internet, I see "Snitch" receiving mixed reviews. Personally, I think this movie is well above average. Seeing it in the wake of the random and bad "A Good Day to Die Hard", I'll admit I was on the lookout for "this is how it's done, bitches" moments. Here are some: "The Rock" delivers a good performance in a rare serious role, a solid cast supports him, there's thought in the plot, characters are well- drawn with fleshed-out back stories, and they develop. Tangible stakes amount to "Breaking Bad"-level suspense, and you get well-placed, effective action scenes. Overall, "Snitch" makes for an evening well spent.
Get Rock Bottomed By Hard Hitting Snitch
ActionFan-Reviews26 February 2013
I've been a fan of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson since his wrestling days in the late 90's. Now his movies are a mixed bag for me. I like his action movies (Faster, Fast 5) but I'm not a big fan of his family films (Tooth Fairy).
After seeing the trailer I expected this film to be an action film where The Rock kicks ass most of the movie. However, this film was more of a crime drama with more depth and less action than I thought it would.The story itself is inspired by a frontline documentary of the same name which deals with mandatory minimum drug laws in the US. It shows as the movie has a high stakes, gritty plot with a good message at the end.The movie also has strong performances from the great cast of actors involved. The rock has come a long way when it comes to acting and this is one of his best films. overall, 2013 is gonna be a big year for the rock. If this movie is an indicator of things to come, It will be a good year for him indeed.
Overall:7/10
Recommendation: Felon (2008) is a similar gritty crime drama from the same writer/director. If you liked snitch. check it out
After seeing the trailer I expected this film to be an action film where The Rock kicks ass most of the movie. However, this film was more of a crime drama with more depth and less action than I thought it would.The story itself is inspired by a frontline documentary of the same name which deals with mandatory minimum drug laws in the US. It shows as the movie has a high stakes, gritty plot with a good message at the end.The movie also has strong performances from the great cast of actors involved. The rock has come a long way when it comes to acting and this is one of his best films. overall, 2013 is gonna be a big year for the rock. If this movie is an indicator of things to come, It will be a good year for him indeed.
Overall:7/10
Recommendation: Felon (2008) is a similar gritty crime drama from the same writer/director. If you liked snitch. check it out
The Rock actually acts in this but feels miscast. Too tough for the role. Better then expected but still a one time watch. I say B-
cosmo_tiger23 April 2013
"You think you know what your doing? You have no idea until you spend the next 10 years of your life in prison." John Matthews (Johnson) is a hard working owner of a construction firm. His son has just been caught with pot and is arrested for conspiracy to distribute. Everyone knows its a lie but he is going away for a long time, unless he gives the feds a name. Not wanting to snitch for his freedom his father decides its up to him. I do have to admit that the movie was a little better then I expected, but still not very impressive. The plot is a really good ten minute idea that is stretched out for an hour and forty minutes. The basic idea of a father trying to help and protect his son has been done over and over, most of the time better then this. I'm not saying that this is a bad movie, but yet again another movie that I just couldn't really get into. One last point is that I think the Rock was miscast. He comes off as tougher then his character should be and it kind of takes you out of the movie. Overall, better then I thought but still a one time watch. I give it a B-.
How far would you go to save your son?
gradyharp12 June 2013
A disturbingly realistic view of the drug problem in this country is the shocker element that makes SNITCH work so well - the extent of drug cartels on both sides of the borders, the power of the kingpins controlling them, and the current laws about felonious drug dealing - all combine to make this film not just another good guy bad guy film: this is a slice of life as we are living it.
Construction company owner John Matthews Dwayne Johnson) learns that his estranged son, Jason (an impressive Rafi Gavron), has been arrested for drug trafficking. Facing an unjust prison sentence for a first time offender courtesy of mandatory minimum sentence laws, Jason has nothing to offer for leniency in good conscience. Desperately, John convinces the DEA and the opportunistic DA Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon) to let him go undercover to help make arrests big enough to free his son in return. With the unwitting help of an ex-con employee Daniel (John Bernthal in a superb performance), John enters the narcotics underworld where every move could be his last in an operation that will demand all his resources, wits and courage to survive.
Ric Roman Waugh wrote (with Justin Haythe) and directed this tightly woven tale and has managed to make a focal point of the problems of divorced families (Melina Kanakaredes is the ex-wife and Nadine Velazquez the current wife) in the care of their offspring. Dwayne Johnson finally has a role that defines his talent and he is supported with a terrific cast (in addition to the actors mentioned above) of Michael K. Williams as the head of the US side cartel, Benjamin Brat as the head of the Mexican cartel, Barry Pepper, JD Pardo, David Harbour, Lela Loren and Harold Perrineau. Yes, there is the requisite car chases and violence, but there is also a study of father/son relationship healing that is equally powerful. The film is much better than expected. Grady Harp, June 13
Construction company owner John Matthews Dwayne Johnson) learns that his estranged son, Jason (an impressive Rafi Gavron), has been arrested for drug trafficking. Facing an unjust prison sentence for a first time offender courtesy of mandatory minimum sentence laws, Jason has nothing to offer for leniency in good conscience. Desperately, John convinces the DEA and the opportunistic DA Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon) to let him go undercover to help make arrests big enough to free his son in return. With the unwitting help of an ex-con employee Daniel (John Bernthal in a superb performance), John enters the narcotics underworld where every move could be his last in an operation that will demand all his resources, wits and courage to survive.
Ric Roman Waugh wrote (with Justin Haythe) and directed this tightly woven tale and has managed to make a focal point of the problems of divorced families (Melina Kanakaredes is the ex-wife and Nadine Velazquez the current wife) in the care of their offspring. Dwayne Johnson finally has a role that defines his talent and he is supported with a terrific cast (in addition to the actors mentioned above) of Michael K. Williams as the head of the US side cartel, Benjamin Brat as the head of the Mexican cartel, Barry Pepper, JD Pardo, David Harbour, Lela Loren and Harold Perrineau. Yes, there is the requisite car chases and violence, but there is also a study of father/son relationship healing that is equally powerful. The film is much better than expected. Grady Harp, June 13
Surprising
jfrink198424 February 2013
I'm going to be somewhat vague about the plot to not give away anything.
My wife and I decided we wanted to go see a movie, both of us enjoy action movies and both of us enjoy Dwayne Johnson as an actor. Neither of use really thought it was going to be anything but a bunch of explosions, gun fights, and ass-whippings. I was amazingly surprised at how far Johnson has come in his acting ability since Mummy 2/Walking Tall. He showed real and believable emotions in his interactions with his "family" and others. Jon Bernthal was the perfect choice for his role. He showed even with this supporting role he is ready to be a major lead in my opinion. Susan Sarandon played her job as a career politician to the absolute limit.
If you are looking for a generic action movie, go see Die-Hard. If you want to see the story of how far parents will go for their children see this movie.
My wife and I decided we wanted to go see a movie, both of us enjoy action movies and both of us enjoy Dwayne Johnson as an actor. Neither of use really thought it was going to be anything but a bunch of explosions, gun fights, and ass-whippings. I was amazingly surprised at how far Johnson has come in his acting ability since Mummy 2/Walking Tall. He showed real and believable emotions in his interactions with his "family" and others. Jon Bernthal was the perfect choice for his role. He showed even with this supporting role he is ready to be a major lead in my opinion. Susan Sarandon played her job as a career politician to the absolute limit.
If you are looking for a generic action movie, go see Die-Hard. If you want to see the story of how far parents will go for their children see this movie.
Way to go
kosmasp21 August 2013
Was Snatch so influential that people actually think this might be a sequel to that said movie? I can assure you it definitely is not! This is an entirely different beast (no pun intended). And a vehicle for Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). He has to move his acting muscles instead of his actually muscles for once. And he proves he's able to. While not the best in the business in that category, he still can hold his own, even in scenes with Heavyweights like Susan Sarandon! And that is saying something about his quality.
Casting is really good in general (Barry Pepper and others), but it all boils down to, what the Rock brings to the table. You actually believe that a man like that might not be able to defend himself against street smart criminals, because you believe he is that character. Talking about character, this is based on a true story. Of course many things are heightened for movie purposes, but it still works
Casting is really good in general (Barry Pepper and others), but it all boils down to, what the Rock brings to the table. You actually believe that a man like that might not be able to defend himself against street smart criminals, because you believe he is that character. Talking about character, this is based on a true story. Of course many things are heightened for movie purposes, but it still works
Preposterous set-up
jgraylives29 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
One of the most ridiculous stories EVER! The police entrapping innocents and then blackmailing them into entrapping their friends and then making The Rock do what the police should be doing??? I literally wanted to smash my face in. UTTER drivel.
Not what you might think
naregian9 March 2013
I went into this film alone, on a lazy Saturday to get my mind off things. I wasn't expecting much, but I didn't want it to be a waste of 11 bucks. Knowing the market of action/thriller blockbusters, I guess I was expecting cars blowing up, gun fights all through the movie, and some crazy, somewhat unrealistic hand to hand combat by our huge friend Dwayne Johnson. I was expecting you're average, predictable "normal citizen suddenly becomes Jason Bourne" type action packed movie. If you're expecting that, and ONLY that, you will be somewhat disappointed. Lucky for me, I am a huge film buff and am open to sitting through any movie of any type and I just look for something entertaining, and this movie did not disappoint in that regard. The first hour and a half of it can legitimately be classified as more of a suspense-drama than a thriller. The screenplay wasn't anything amazing, but I do think Dwayne Johnson might have thrown himself in the eye of some producers and directors who write him off as no talent. His acting made the movie as believable as it was, and along with some of the supporting characters, and gritty suspenseful situations, this film found a way to intrigue me more than I thought it would have. The quote at the end of the film spoke volumes as to what the message of the movie was, and I think it was very well put together. If you're going to see this movie solely for action/entertainment value, then you might not be so happy with your investment, but if you want a well rounded, legitimate movie to go when you're bored or with a friend, I would recommend Snitch.
Functional but dispiriting
neil-47628 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
John Matthews' son from his first marriage gets 10 years for a drugs crime, with an offer to reduce the sentence if he helps convict those up the chain in his crime: he refuses. Knowing his son won't survive 10 years in prison, haulage contractor Dad John strikes a deal to catch a distributor in exchange for his son's sentence being reduced. But Prosecutor Joanne Keeghan doesn't stick to the deal.
This is a bit of an oddity. On the surface it is a "real life"-type crime drama, with a couple of decent action sequences in it, raising hard questions about aspects of the US judicial system. But it is also a strangely dispiriting experience, where none of the people involved is especially sympathetic except the wives, who have the role of victims, powerless to do anything except experience consequences which are going to be negative come what may (witness protection and loss of their previous life being the best).
Dwayne Johnson is OK as Matthews, and Susan Sarandon enjoys her role as the slimy Prosecutor who drags Matthews deeper into the danger zone than she has any right to. Barry Pepper wears an exceedingly peculiar beard.
I walked out of this feeling rather let down, by the resolution of the story as much as anything, although I was at least happy to enjoy a film free of profanity for once.
This is a bit of an oddity. On the surface it is a "real life"-type crime drama, with a couple of decent action sequences in it, raising hard questions about aspects of the US judicial system. But it is also a strangely dispiriting experience, where none of the people involved is especially sympathetic except the wives, who have the role of victims, powerless to do anything except experience consequences which are going to be negative come what may (witness protection and loss of their previous life being the best).
Dwayne Johnson is OK as Matthews, and Susan Sarandon enjoys her role as the slimy Prosecutor who drags Matthews deeper into the danger zone than she has any right to. Barry Pepper wears an exceedingly peculiar beard.
I walked out of this feeling rather let down, by the resolution of the story as much as anything, although I was at least happy to enjoy a film free of profanity for once.
Yawn fest
p-broad-720-28400624 June 2013
You know that bit you've seen on the trailer on the Telly, advertising this film with all the shoot outs and car chases. Well thats about the best 30 seconds in the film. Because the rest is slow.
Its probably trying to go for a serious setting, and trying to build up the tension to a big climax at the end. But c'mon its got the Rock in it.
Not that the Rock is bad at what he does, and to be honest, every one seems to give a good performance. But this would even be considered too slow for a beer and pizza movie. You end up not caring about the main characters and thinking "Only in America"
Its probably trying to go for a serious setting, and trying to build up the tension to a big climax at the end. But c'mon its got the Rock in it.
Not that the Rock is bad at what he does, and to be honest, every one seems to give a good performance. But this would even be considered too slow for a beer and pizza movie. You end up not caring about the main characters and thinking "Only in America"
Loosely based on some real events, a dad chases drug lords to free his son.
TxMike25 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
We found this one on DVD at our public library. One thing going for it, there's never a dull moment, and the car and truck chase near the end has some of the most spectacular action and crashes I have seen in any movie. With camera placements it often looked like the audience was right there.
The other thing it has going for it is Dwayne Johnson, who also produced. I have enjoyed The Rock in all his roles, and this one is no exception. Here he is John Matthews , former long-haul driver who now owns his trucking company. He is divorced and has a new family. But he also has a teenage son living with his ex-wife, and it seems there isn't much interaction.
One day John gets a call, his son has been busted with enough drugs to get him put away for 10 years minimum. As we see what happened, the boy was apparently set up by one of his friends, who told him all he had to do was receive and hold a package. But when the locater went off, the cops came in.
This movie is loosely based on some real accounts of similar cases. But this is a fictional story and as such some situations may not be plausible, but it illustrates both the danger of kids experimenting in the trade, and the dangers of dealing with the cartels.
John bargains with the D.A., if he will get a big capture then they will reduce his son's incarceration. With no background that would make him suitable for such a task, he forges ahead knowing it is what his son needs.
The other thing it has going for it is Dwayne Johnson, who also produced. I have enjoyed The Rock in all his roles, and this one is no exception. Here he is John Matthews , former long-haul driver who now owns his trucking company. He is divorced and has a new family. But he also has a teenage son living with his ex-wife, and it seems there isn't much interaction.
One day John gets a call, his son has been busted with enough drugs to get him put away for 10 years minimum. As we see what happened, the boy was apparently set up by one of his friends, who told him all he had to do was receive and hold a package. But when the locater went off, the cops came in.
This movie is loosely based on some real accounts of similar cases. But this is a fictional story and as such some situations may not be plausible, but it illustrates both the danger of kids experimenting in the trade, and the dangers of dealing with the cartels.
John bargains with the D.A., if he will get a big capture then they will reduce his son's incarceration. With no background that would make him suitable for such a task, he forges ahead knowing it is what his son needs.
Despite Some Lapses In To Manipulation It's A Thriller With Humanity. It Misses Out An Important Point Though
Theo Robertson19 June 2013
John Matthews the owner of a trucking company finishes work one day and comes home to find his teenage son Jason has been arrested for supplying drugs and is facing between 10 and 50 years imprisonment . Jason can get a reduced sentence if he supplies names of other drug dealers but Jason has no knowledge of other dealers . John Matthews then decides to infiltrate local drug gangs so he can inform on them to the DEA and get his son out of prison
Considering it stars Dwayne " the Rock " Johnson you could be forgiven for thinking you're watching something that firmly belongs on the straight to DVD shelf but SNITCH is very much a action thriller with very human drama . Indeed very early in the film when John Matthews stops to help one of his workers , Daniel James load bags of cement you can't help thinking that you're going to be watching a very pious and whiter than white man portrayed as a poor unfortunate victim . The film perhaps mindful that the entire situation has been created by some teenager buying a massive bag of MDMA second guess that the audience might not be too sympathetic to his plight so becomes slightly guilty of tugging the heart strings by gnashing of teeth in angst ridden domestic scenes and manipulative music . It could have been even more over done but thankfully it doesn't go overboard , but you'll still notice a slightly manipulative agenda at play
That said Johnson is a revelation here and I was struck as to how effective he was in the role of John Matthews . Okay I doubt if he'll be picking up an Oscar nomination next year but he manages to create an empathy with the audience and where SNITCH works best is when it gets to the heart of the plot where Matthews infiltrates the street gangs and finds himself being elevated in to the higher echelons of a Mexican drug cartel and it's at this point you know things are going to work out very badly for him and his agenda is going to be found out as he finds himself stuck between a rock ( Sorry guys ) and a hard place
If there's a problem it's not so much with the film itself but with the reality of drug laws in America . If drugs were legalized and provided by the state this would have solved many of the problems illustrated here . Throughout the film you'll be shouting at the screen that it's the fault of unenforceable legislation that created many of the scenes seen here and amazingly the film ends with a caption pointing out that first time drug dealers often get a sentence longer than many rapists , robbers and child molesters . You don't however get the impression the film is making any really intelligent point about the criminalization of drugs and the caption seems mainly added as an afterthought . That said SNITCH is an impressive enough thriller that has more going for it than many other recent thrillers . This is down to its humanity
Considering it stars Dwayne " the Rock " Johnson you could be forgiven for thinking you're watching something that firmly belongs on the straight to DVD shelf but SNITCH is very much a action thriller with very human drama . Indeed very early in the film when John Matthews stops to help one of his workers , Daniel James load bags of cement you can't help thinking that you're going to be watching a very pious and whiter than white man portrayed as a poor unfortunate victim . The film perhaps mindful that the entire situation has been created by some teenager buying a massive bag of MDMA second guess that the audience might not be too sympathetic to his plight so becomes slightly guilty of tugging the heart strings by gnashing of teeth in angst ridden domestic scenes and manipulative music . It could have been even more over done but thankfully it doesn't go overboard , but you'll still notice a slightly manipulative agenda at play
That said Johnson is a revelation here and I was struck as to how effective he was in the role of John Matthews . Okay I doubt if he'll be picking up an Oscar nomination next year but he manages to create an empathy with the audience and where SNITCH works best is when it gets to the heart of the plot where Matthews infiltrates the street gangs and finds himself being elevated in to the higher echelons of a Mexican drug cartel and it's at this point you know things are going to work out very badly for him and his agenda is going to be found out as he finds himself stuck between a rock ( Sorry guys ) and a hard place
If there's a problem it's not so much with the film itself but with the reality of drug laws in America . If drugs were legalized and provided by the state this would have solved many of the problems illustrated here . Throughout the film you'll be shouting at the screen that it's the fault of unenforceable legislation that created many of the scenes seen here and amazingly the film ends with a caption pointing out that first time drug dealers often get a sentence longer than many rapists , robbers and child molesters . You don't however get the impression the film is making any really intelligent point about the criminalization of drugs and the caption seems mainly added as an afterthought . That said SNITCH is an impressive enough thriller that has more going for it than many other recent thrillers . This is down to its humanity
Snitches Get Stitches
damianphelps31 May 2022
Hollywood ruins another good movie
ArtVandelayImporterExporter5 October 2021
For two acts this was a mature drug war drama starring The Rock and a bunch of movie vets who actually can act.
Unfortunately, this is Hollywood and Hollywod is in 'Murica . And in 'Murica problems get solved with bullets.
And so a gripping movie, with an interesting story and great performances degrades into a dim-witted action movie with enough MVAs to make The Cannonball Run look like a docu-drama about bumper cars. And then an ending tied up with a neat little bow and about as believable as a virgin birth.
At least we discovered that The Rock can act.
And that the War on Drugs is one of the most despicable, disgraceful wastes of human resources and human lives since man invented the Atom Bomb. Burn in H3ll, Nancy Reagan.
Unfortunately, this is Hollywood and Hollywod is in 'Murica . And in 'Murica problems get solved with bullets.
And so a gripping movie, with an interesting story and great performances degrades into a dim-witted action movie with enough MVAs to make The Cannonball Run look like a docu-drama about bumper cars. And then an ending tied up with a neat little bow and about as believable as a virgin birth.
At least we discovered that The Rock can act.
And that the War on Drugs is one of the most despicable, disgraceful wastes of human resources and human lives since man invented the Atom Bomb. Burn in H3ll, Nancy Reagan.
Impressive
bob-rutzel-113 June 2013
This is based upon true events.
John Matthew's (Dwayne Johnson) son was setup to take the fall for a drug deal and will get 10-years. In order to reduce his son's prison sentence, John makes a deal with State Prosecutor Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon) to bring down known drug lords.
A snitch is someone who is guilty, but snitches (tells on) on someone else in order to get his sentence reduced.
There are two types of movie or TV stories I just cannot stand: hostages and undercover work. Maybe because they are too easy, but in here John goes undercover and I cringed .. but not for long. As it turns out this was quite suspenseful and loaded with tension. Of course, I had to keep telling myself that Dwayne Johnson wasn't OJ as they look alike somewhat. Well, they do.
I was impressed with everything. The camera work weaved in and out in seamless fashion, and the editing was spot on. This is a class act. Also, I discovered that Dwayne Johnson can act. Hard to believe, I know, but there it was. He did good. He was a father committed to saving his son's time and torture in prison and I believed.
The promos have you believe that this is a top-notch action movie with cars and trucks crashing and burning all over the highways. Not so. There is ONE big to-do at the end with John driving a semi being chased by several cars filled with drug people with guns and these scenes are nothing short of perfectly choreographed stunts that will take your breath away. These vehicle stunts were too real to even think that CGI was used. Ouch, Ouch, Ouch! Very impressive.
The supporting cast made this even more impressive and believable. There is Barry Pepper who is always very good, as Agent Cooper and John's contact outside the prosecutor's office. Jon Bernthal as Daniel, John's contact to get an introduction to the drug guys and he really made this real. Susan Sarandon as Joanne Keeghan the State Prosecutor and I have never seen a bad performance from her. She is pure gold. Then a very good and scary job was done by Michael Kenneth Williams as Malik, the local drug lord. And, now we come to Benjamin Bratt as Juan Carlos or El Topo the big Drug Lord. Bratt usually plays a good guy but in here a Drug Lord and even I feared him. Kudos.
Most of the movie had great acting from all the cast and with the corresponding suspense and tension I was locked in. Very impressive. (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.
John Matthew's (Dwayne Johnson) son was setup to take the fall for a drug deal and will get 10-years. In order to reduce his son's prison sentence, John makes a deal with State Prosecutor Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon) to bring down known drug lords.
A snitch is someone who is guilty, but snitches (tells on) on someone else in order to get his sentence reduced.
There are two types of movie or TV stories I just cannot stand: hostages and undercover work. Maybe because they are too easy, but in here John goes undercover and I cringed .. but not for long. As it turns out this was quite suspenseful and loaded with tension. Of course, I had to keep telling myself that Dwayne Johnson wasn't OJ as they look alike somewhat. Well, they do.
I was impressed with everything. The camera work weaved in and out in seamless fashion, and the editing was spot on. This is a class act. Also, I discovered that Dwayne Johnson can act. Hard to believe, I know, but there it was. He did good. He was a father committed to saving his son's time and torture in prison and I believed.
The promos have you believe that this is a top-notch action movie with cars and trucks crashing and burning all over the highways. Not so. There is ONE big to-do at the end with John driving a semi being chased by several cars filled with drug people with guns and these scenes are nothing short of perfectly choreographed stunts that will take your breath away. These vehicle stunts were too real to even think that CGI was used. Ouch, Ouch, Ouch! Very impressive.
The supporting cast made this even more impressive and believable. There is Barry Pepper who is always very good, as Agent Cooper and John's contact outside the prosecutor's office. Jon Bernthal as Daniel, John's contact to get an introduction to the drug guys and he really made this real. Susan Sarandon as Joanne Keeghan the State Prosecutor and I have never seen a bad performance from her. She is pure gold. Then a very good and scary job was done by Michael Kenneth Williams as Malik, the local drug lord. And, now we come to Benjamin Bratt as Juan Carlos or El Topo the big Drug Lord. Bratt usually plays a good guy but in here a Drug Lord and even I feared him. Kudos.
Most of the movie had great acting from all the cast and with the corresponding suspense and tension I was locked in. Very impressive. (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.
I saw a different film from the critics
DarkVulcan2926 February 2013
Dwayne Johnson better known has The Rock, was thought of to be like another Arnold Schwarzenegger, a muscle bound action hero who acts tough and shouts out funny one liners. But then he did the movie Gridiron Gang(2006),and my opinion of him changed, he took a little departure from action films, and took a stab at drama, and he gave a pretty descent performance, and he showed that he can act.
John(Dwayne Johnson) has his own construction business, is also happily married with a daughter. But Johns happy life is quickly turned upside, when his teenage son from another marriage is arrested for drug possession, cause a friend set him up. John not wanting to sit back and do nothing, is determined to get him out of prison. He volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate a drug cartel in hopes that it will get his son out of prison, with the help of U.S. Attorney(Susan Sarandon) and a D.E.A. agent(Barry Pepper), but will John pull it off?
I disagree with the critics, I thought the crime drama was very real. And when it was getting intense, you the audience feel it also. Dwayne Johnson gives a great performance, like he did in Gridiron Gang. You won't think of him as The Rock, but Dwayne Johnson the actor. Barry Pepper is good, so is Susan Sarandon.
John(Dwayne Johnson) has his own construction business, is also happily married with a daughter. But Johns happy life is quickly turned upside, when his teenage son from another marriage is arrested for drug possession, cause a friend set him up. John not wanting to sit back and do nothing, is determined to get him out of prison. He volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate a drug cartel in hopes that it will get his son out of prison, with the help of U.S. Attorney(Susan Sarandon) and a D.E.A. agent(Barry Pepper), but will John pull it off?
I disagree with the critics, I thought the crime drama was very real. And when it was getting intense, you the audience feel it also. Dwayne Johnson gives a great performance, like he did in Gridiron Gang. You won't think of him as The Rock, but Dwayne Johnson the actor. Barry Pepper is good, so is Susan Sarandon.
Better than rating suggests
tr919 September 2013
'Snitch' was a good film about a father (The Rock) who goes undercover because he wants to free his son who was set up in a drug deal.
The film is straight to the point, the way the plot develops is a bit far fetched but who cares. There was some very good action scenes but for me The Rock was excellent and very believable in the drama side of things. You feel quite attached to the characters as you are watching because we learn quite a lot about the characters and we can see their problems.
I expected this to just be full of car chases, guns shooting and explosions (there was some of that) but it was much deeper than that, I really enjoyed all aspects of it. It is heartwarming to see The Rock take the ultimate risk to save his son.
Good film, enjoyed it. I preferred 'Faster' but this is definitely worth a watch as well, less action but good drama.
7.5/10.
The film is straight to the point, the way the plot develops is a bit far fetched but who cares. There was some very good action scenes but for me The Rock was excellent and very believable in the drama side of things. You feel quite attached to the characters as you are watching because we learn quite a lot about the characters and we can see their problems.
I expected this to just be full of car chases, guns shooting and explosions (there was some of that) but it was much deeper than that, I really enjoyed all aspects of it. It is heartwarming to see The Rock take the ultimate risk to save his son.
Good film, enjoyed it. I preferred 'Faster' but this is definitely worth a watch as well, less action but good drama.
7.5/10.
Very very boring.
Ultra_Collectibles16 January 2019
An interesting departure for "The Rock."
PWNYCNY24 February 2013
This movie marks the departure of Dwayne Johnson from action actor to dramatic actor and the transformation works. Johnson demonstrates a surprising aptitude for dramatic acting as his character struggles with a number of distressing issues. The problem with the movie is the story. It's premise is implausible. The main character's son is busted on drug charges and he is in fact guilty, which makes him a far less sympathetic character. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop his father, played by Johnson, from coming to his son's assistance, albeit as unbelievable as it, and the entire movie hinges on the audience having to believe that the son is a victim, which he is not. If a movie needs a victim, then the victim should in fact be a victim. Another interesting character is the drug dealer played by Benjamin Bratt who plays the role effectively. Susan Sarandon and Barry Pepper also provide excellent performances as an ambitious DA and an undercover vice police officer respectively. Despite the flaws in the story, this is still a good movie and one that is worth watching.
An action movie done right
Buddy-5112 August 2013
"Snitch" is that rare action movie that dares to dabble in moral complexities. Dwayne Johnson plays the owner of a construction company whose semi-estranged, college-bound, 18-year-old son Jason (Rafi Gavron) is arrested for the possession and possible selling of drugs. The catch is that the boy's sentence could be reduced if he agrees to set up someone else in a sting. When Jason refuses to be turned into a "snitch" just to protect his own hide, his dad decides to take matters into his own hands by recruiting one of his employees (the excellent Jon Berthnal from "The Walking Dead"), who's on probation for narcotics trafficking and trying to turn his life around, to be an unwitting pawn in a scheme to finger a dangerous local drug dealer (Michael Kenneth Williams) .
An interesting story is enhanced by taut direction (by Ric Roman Waugh), excellent cinematography and editing, and a highly effective musical score by Antonio Pinto. Beyond the aforementioned actors, there is excellent work by Susan Sarandon as a federal prosecutor who's over-zealousness and political calculation often lead her to act recklessly with little regard for others' safety, and Benjamin Bratt as a cartel kingpin.
Inspired by "true events," the Waugh/Justin Haythe screenplay is more concerned with character and conflict than with car chases and conventional action sequences, as a whole host of good or at least potentially good people are forced to compromise their integrity in order to game the system and achieve their goals. For John Matthews (Johnson), the goal is obviously to save his son from a hard stint in prison, while for Daniel James (Berthnal), the goal is a bit less clear-cut, which, in many ways, makes him an even more intriguing character than John.
To get a sense of just how good a movie "Snitch" is, compare it to another recent action film that deals with a similar father-and-son theme, the foolish "A Good Day to Die Hard," with Bruce Willis all but leveling Moscow in an attempt to rescue his imprisoned boy. John, on the other hand, remains an everyman character rather than a superhero - and that makes all the difference in the world.
By keeping it small-scale and restrained, "Snitch" succeeds where so many other action movies have failed.
An interesting story is enhanced by taut direction (by Ric Roman Waugh), excellent cinematography and editing, and a highly effective musical score by Antonio Pinto. Beyond the aforementioned actors, there is excellent work by Susan Sarandon as a federal prosecutor who's over-zealousness and political calculation often lead her to act recklessly with little regard for others' safety, and Benjamin Bratt as a cartel kingpin.
Inspired by "true events," the Waugh/Justin Haythe screenplay is more concerned with character and conflict than with car chases and conventional action sequences, as a whole host of good or at least potentially good people are forced to compromise their integrity in order to game the system and achieve their goals. For John Matthews (Johnson), the goal is obviously to save his son from a hard stint in prison, while for Daniel James (Berthnal), the goal is a bit less clear-cut, which, in many ways, makes him an even more intriguing character than John.
To get a sense of just how good a movie "Snitch" is, compare it to another recent action film that deals with a similar father-and-son theme, the foolish "A Good Day to Die Hard," with Bruce Willis all but leveling Moscow in an attempt to rescue his imprisoned boy. John, on the other hand, remains an everyman character rather than a superhero - and that makes all the difference in the world.
By keeping it small-scale and restrained, "Snitch" succeeds where so many other action movies have failed.
Same old drivel
twingma9 August 2013
We start with The Rock, his kid gets arrested, says he's innocent, divorced parents panic blah blah blah. Drug cartels, car chases, shootings, nothing new. Bad acting, boring plot, Melina Kanakaredes performed better in CSI NY and Susan Saradon must have needed pocket change to accept this part. We turned it off after 45 minutes, as it was easy to guess what would happen next.
You don't really need a spoiler for this one, just watch 30 minutes of it, if you can stay awake. Dwayne should stick to comedy, which he is pretty good at. I am surprised it didn't go straight to DVD. One plus for me, I didn't spend $12 to see it. Don't waste your time.
You don't really need a spoiler for this one, just watch 30 minutes of it, if you can stay awake. Dwayne should stick to comedy, which he is pretty good at. I am surprised it didn't go straight to DVD. One plus for me, I didn't spend $12 to see it. Don't waste your time.
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