We do not get introduced to Bullet Tooth Tony until an hour into the film. Generally, we are introduced to the main characters in the opening - however Snatch has taken a different approach. Even though we are not properly introduced to Tony, we are aware that he is involved in the storyline; this is good as otherwise we (the audience) would be confused and we would probably become distracted and unable to follow storyline. There is a lot of hype based around Tony's character through the use of action and enigma codes. This ensures that the audience is familiar with him and they can get a general idea of what he is like before actually being introduced to him.
We are first introduced to Tony by an action code when he is mentioned in a conversation. As the group ate talking about him and hoe he should help assist in their plots, there is a flash back to shoe Tony and help the audience know who they are talking about. We see a bar with topless women, dated music and alcohol. The dated music implies that it is a flash back as Madonna was playing. The mise en scene also implies that it was a flash back as the clothes were typical late eighties style complimented by the long, gelled swept back hair. The fact that he was in a stripper bar surrounded by alcohol and naked women suggests that he is sleazy and not an upper class person.
Whilst we are seeing this flashback there is a voice over from the conversation which is describing him. This helps the story flow and the dialogue fits with what we are seeing. This again helps the audience gain an understanding of Tony's character and what part he will play in the storyline.
We see other flashbacks as the women in the conversation are describing him. The other flashbacks include violence, weaponry and strong language; this makes us think he is the typical gangster character and he is characterized to be the fearless tough guy. The visual clips what we are watching also compliment what we hear via the voice over. This makes us aware of his personality and we also gain an understanding of the other personalities (characters talking within the group) This is a good way to put across the characteristics of Bullet Tooth Tony; this method also saves time and saves explaining his character later which could possibly complicate things.
We learn how Tony got his Bullet Tooth nick name through conversation, this emphasized his gangster characterization.
Overall, through the use of quick crosscuts between current conversation and flashbacks to the eighties we learn how Tony is portrayed and we learn a lot about his character before formally being introduced to him. Also we are informed that Tony has been shot six times and yet he is still not beaten or weaker, this unconsciously tells us that he will become a main character. This introduction is quick and effective which also shows characterization.
