Snatched

Imagine booking a non-refundable holiday to Ecuador only to find out your partner is breaking up with you, and now you have to take your mum. The premise here isn’t the most inspiring – it’s another popular comedian with old comedian/star playing their parent duo. (See: The Guilt Trip.) But from the get go, Amy Schumer’s Snatched fires a slew of jokes straight from the hip: slapstick to visual, to crude to witty; and unsurprisingly, considering her comedic prowess, some of them are hilarious.

Easily defined as a mismatched buddy comedy, Emily (Schumer) and her mum Linda (Goldie Hawn) travel to Ecuador and descend into a ridiculous plot that sees them chased into Columbia by a group of kidnappers. Although there are some real comedic gems throughout the movie, the sheer amount of suspension of disbelief needed suffocates the thin plot and half-formed characters. It’s fair to say that Hawn and Schumer have great chemistry; the dynamic between them is executed perfectly, and it’s a testament to the actresses’ abilities. The problem is that nothing really happens, and there’s an emotional realisation thrown into the last scene for no real reason. We spend the film with two women who are supposed to be given the trajectory of getting closer and forming a bond. It only happens in hammy exposition and dialogue – though this is understandable – with director Jonathan Levine making as much room as possible for the comedy.

Snatched is an entertaining movie for those who wish to relax, hang out with friends, not think about much, and laugh. The production value is high, the gross-out-awkward comedy is in full force, and Schumer and Hawn’s performances are good. This is a lighthearted romp with great laughs and a satisfactory way to kill 90 minutes.

Jivan Ward

Snatched is released nationwide on 19^th May 2017.

Watch the trailer for Snatched here: