Snitch: Movie Review

Most of Dwayne Johnson’s action movies err on the side of punchy comedy, e.g. The Rundown and The Other Guys. The wrestler turned actor, formerly known as The Rock, vies for a more dramatic performance in Snitch, his new feature film from Summit Entertainment.

Touted as being ‘inspired by true events’, Snitch follows a father who setups a drug cartel so that his imprisoned son’s sentence is reduced. Unfortunately, the moving story is overshadowed by the movie's predictability; and the violence and foul language doesn’t help its case when it comes to its appropriateness for younger viewers either.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

One stupid decision to help out a friend lands John Matthews’ son in jail for drug distribution, a crime with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate to get his son out of jail, John makes a deal with a politically ambitious, U.S. attorney and agrees to work with the authorities and infiltrate a drug ring. John’s actions soon catch up with him, as the risk he’s taking for his son puts his wife and daughter’s lives in danger.

THE GOOD AND BAD IN SNITCH

From director Ric Roman Waugh, Snitch hopes to incite audiences to take part in a petition to challenge the mandatory minimum laws as they relate to drug busts. There’s even a website promoted in the credits encouraging audiences to get involved in this cause. It’s a theatrical plea for citizens to get fired up about this injustice through a sacrifical, father-son story. Alas, it’s obvious exposition and forced drama hurt its effect.

Snitch’s message, though it’s somewhat forced, is informative. At one point, Johnson’s character, John, even researches Wikipedia for his introduction into the world of drug cartels. The good notes of drama from the lead, and the film’s impressive cast (including Barry Pepper and Jon Bernthal), help where the story falls short. The sacrifice John makes for the good of his son is a picture of true love - being willing to lay your life down.

Rated PG-13 for drug content and sequences of violence, Snitch is not appropriate for young audiences. Parents should know that the dialogue has its share of profanities and obscenities as well.

IN THE END

Snitch is not the worst in theaters these days, but it’s not the best either.