Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels - Group Roles

Written by Red Williams

The first thirty minutes of LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS introduces a myriad of characters in a number of sub-plots, yet Guy Ritchie, the writer and producer, is able to keep the four main characters clear in the minds of his viewers.

He accomplishes this by establishing each characters role within the group early on. Eddie is the leader, and makes every important decision. He is the one who physically takes part in the card game while his three friends wait patiently. The plot takes numerous twists and turns, but at every corner the group looks towards Eddie for direction. Whereas the audience learns implicitly that Eddie is the manager of the foursome, they are directly told what role Tom plays. As he is selling stolen merchandise, the movie pauses, and a narrator explains that he is the slimy entrepreneur of the group.

Ritchie uses Tom as a means of furthering the plot. He is the action man. Eddie makes the decisions, and Tom runs all the errands and deals with characters outside the group.

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