Sexy Beast
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Movie Reviews of Sexy Beast
Movie Review: Sometimes it is hard to say no. Especially to Don Logan.
Summary: 5 Stars
On the commentary track for "Sexy Beast" director Jonathan Glazer reduces the film to the level of a Greek myth wherein once upon a time there was a man who thought he was happy and the gods sent him the unhappiest man on earth. It is the later figure, the gangster Don Logan, performed by Ben Kingsley in an Oscar nominated role, that dominates every moment on screen where he either appears or simply is being talked about, but the former, Ray Winstone as "retired" safecracker Gary "Gal" Dove, is a compelling, but much more subtle, character as well. Gal is living the good live in his villa in Spain, sunning himself by the pool, when something happens that we soon understand is clearly a warning shot from the gods. Gal is happy in his retirement, married to the woman he loves (Amanda Redman), who happens to be a former porn star. Then word comes than Don is on his way with a offer that Gal intends to refuse. However, nobody says "no" to Don Logan. The scenes between Gal and Don in this script by Louis Mellis and David Scinto strike me as what Harold Pinter would produce if he was writing about gangsters and went overboard on the profanity. A conversation with Don is taking your life into your hands and Gal knows it, quietly dancing around the fatal rejection for as long as he can. Kingsley's Don is one of the scariest men ever to appear in a film, although I am not sure how much of that has to be the sheer shock at the idea that it is "Gandhi" on the screen who is launching into foul-mouthed tirades and radiating danger with every look and action (all without ever having a gun in his hand, I should add). This performance is astounding, and if it is unexpected that is only because we have taken Sir Ben for granted for a long time. Kingsley lost the Best Supporting Actor Oscar to Jim Broadbent, who had an advantage with strong performances in "Moulin Rouge" and "The Diary of Bridget Jones" to go along with the one for which he won in "Iris," but this is an unforgettable performance, assuming you get around to seeing the film.
Kingsley's performance is so overwhelming that you may well fail to notice how strong Winstone is as the film's lead. After all, it is Gal who is the title character, but Winstone's performance is so understated that it is can be rather underwhelming, especially in the face of Kingsley's performance. The other thing that almost gets lost is the plot, because there is something that can be gotten if only there is the will, because the way will be right behind. The caper is just crazy enough to make sense given the proceedings and we have to keep in mind that no matter how much of a mad dog Don Logan might be, there is somebody holding his leash at the other end. "Sexy Beast" is a very good film with more than one outstanding performance, but it is not going to be to everyone's taste given the violence and the profanity, although both are true to the world of these characters.
Movie Review: Men would pull their own heads off rather than see Don Logan
Summary: 5 Stars
There's a line in a Monty Python sketch about the effect a criminal has on his underlings: "I've seen men pull their own heads off rather than see Doug." That's the effect the news that Don Logan is coming to town has on retired criminal Gal. Gal's settled into his relaxing, lazy days under the Spanish sun, until a boulder the size of a small house flies over his head and rolls into his treasured swimming pool. Can you say "symbolic foreshadowing," boys and girls?...because Don Logan's about to slam into Gal's leisurely life with all the force and violence of a landslide, sent to recruit Gal out of retirement for one last heist, and absolutely NOT taking "no" for an answer . In a movie where much of the first half consists of conflict through dialogue (it's almost a stage play in set-up), the performances are key, and "Sexy Beast" has no weak links. Ray Winstone has the unenviable task of holding his own against Ben Kingsley, and succeeds uncannily without resorting to caricature. His fear is palpable--you can almost smell the sweat at his being cornered like a rabbit with no way to break out. Even perennial TV guest star Ian McShane excels in the role of a slick and cunning criminal boss, a performance that breaks out of his usual pattern and won't remind you in the least of Lovejoy (McShane's most famous character, the genial art forger/detective).
But the standout performance is, of course, Ben Kingsley. Kingsley is brilliant as the manic, menacing Logan: fulfills the standard cliché of performing "a role that will surprise you"-Don Logan is sort of role Michael Caine made an icon in 1960s movies like the original "Get Carter"-tough, brutal, smooth, sexy, manipulative, and more than a little bit of a maniac: a man you don't say "no" to if you want to survive. The whole movie, in fact, has the feel of a 1960s British crime drama like "Get Carter" with the modern sensibilities of directors of today like Guy Ritchie. The movie may be a little too much a crime-genre film to garner Academy Award nominations, but both Kingsley's and Winstone's performances are worthy of an Oscar nod as a driven hunter and his prey.
Although once it gets to the heist itself, innovative as it is, the main drive of the film is lessened. Once Kingsley's off the screen, I began fidgeting, waiting for his return, and McShane's character matching wits with Gal is no substitute for vicious Don Logan. But that's the sole weak spot in an exceptionally powerful, dark-humored, violent but stylish movie that's not so much a heist caper as it is a sharp and penetrating look at the violence men visit on each other...and on themselves.
Movie Review: It's bloody hot...
Summary: 5 Stars
`Sexy Beast' is just that; it possesses a savage sexuality that rivets through the audience and draws them in, never letting go. It's not your average gangster film. It's smart and original and thrilling. Couple the tight script with elegant direction and a marvelous cast, that includes two brilliant performances by the male leads (Kingsley and Winstone sizzle), and you have one of the finest films of 2001. It's hard to find a single flaw within this breathtaking film; so why bother looking. Let's focus on everything it has going for it.
The film follows a retired British gangster, Gary `Gal' Dove, as he tries his hardest to resist the temptation to reenter the game. He's visited at his home in Costa del Sol by notorious mobster Don Logan who forcefully attempts to persuade him to jump back in for one more heist. Gal refuses but like I said, Don is very `forceful' in his persuasion.
The greatest facet of this film is the pitting of Ray Winstone (who is quite the sexy beast if I do say so myself) and Ben Kingsley against one another. Their masterful performances elevate this film into that `must-see/must-love' territory. Winstone plays Gal with such emotional connection that you can feel his soul stripping as he contemplates the consequences of his actions. I have been a fan of Winstone's for a while now and with each performance I fall deeper and deeper into his trance. He says so much with his eyes, with his face; he becomes a canvas of unrelenting emotion. Kingsley is the polar opposite of Winstone here, splicing the screen with ravaging brutality. His character has been described as a pit-bull, and that is a very astute observation. There is a scene where he converses with himself in the bathroom mirror; that scene alone is a spark of genius.
Amanda Redman is flawless as Gal's wife Deedee and Ian McShane is marvelous as Teddy Bass. They support the two powerhouse performances of their co-stars with fervor and grace.
The film is magnificently constructed. It's tight and smart and effective at what it's looking to do. Jonathan Glazer knows what he's doing and delivers a near flawless film. It is savage and brutal and elegant in all the right places. It's sexy, it's provocative and it's a total beast.
In the words of Gal himself; "It's bloody hot!"
Movie Review: Not Exactly Noel Coward
Summary: 5 Stars
Lovers of bright, airy, farcical British humor are apparently not Jonathan Glazer's target audience. If you enjoy the occasional foray into the dank, dark underbelly of grimy black comedy, however, this should be right up your alley. No plot spoilers here, but would say that there are certain parallels between what befalls the evil, soul-chomping antagonist, Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) and what eventually happens to the equally insensitive British mobster, Albert Spica (Michael Gambon) in Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Kingsley is definitely the menacing lynchpin holding this movie together, though Ian McShane is not far behind him in his portrayal of a believably evil crime lord. Ray Winstone is an inspiration to middle-aged, beer-bellied Buddhas everywhere. Amanda Redman is a revelation as Gal's ex-porn star spouse. She plays the slow boil to perfection. Julian White is also superb playing the wife of Gal's slightly dim buddy, Aitch.
Which brings us to one of the minor qualifiers I have to warn viewers about. Unless you've grown up in one of the grubbier, East End sections of London, a lot of the dialogue is going to be incomprehensible to you. This is particularly true of Aitch (Cavan Kendall, Kay Kendall's brother). I would definitely recommend the DVD, as opposed to the VHS purchase, as the DVD has a subtitle feature. I can honestly say I was lost without it, before I utilized the function. Kendall also mumbles his lines, as do several other characters. Mumbling and thick, cockney accents do not make for easy comprehension on the part of American viewers.
This film has a workmanlike plot, with strong performances from all hands. It's great, gritty, black comedy. The funniest thing I've heard for a while is the statement made by Kingsley that he based his character of Don Logan on his grandmother. She must have been quite a lady! I've also discovered, via IMDB, that there may be a link between the guy in the bunny suit and the anti-Harvey in Donnie Darko.
BEK
Movie Review: Don't mess with Don...
Summary: 5 Stars
British cinema has brought us a series of classic gangster films the past 5 years and "Sexy beast" continues that streak in very convincing fashion.A retired gangster is enjoying "the life" in his villa in Spain along with his ex-porn star gorgeous wife and friends. This idyllic setting is about to get seriously disturbed though when his former "employers" call him back to work for one "last" major job.
His initial thoughts are to refuse to have any part in this and resume kicking it big under the sunny spanish sky. Not so fast. The man who comes to convince him to participate is a man with the reputation of a psycho played superbly by Ben Kingsley (yes, the "Gahndi" Kingsley). Alerady before "Don"'s (kingsley) arrival the whole household goes on red alert as they know that this is a man who wont go back with a no for an answer and who will let his psychosis out in full blow to get the ex-gangster to join in in his hand-picked team.
As Don arrives, we are entertained by brilliant dialogue, as both characters engage in a verbal confrontation. Don is clearly winning the battle but the ex-gangster is heroically not caving in till the very end where a nice surprise ending is in store as the last big job takes place.
Kingsley's performance is nothing short of unforgettable. He puts new dimensiions in the genre of cinematic psychos. While the film is actually barely violent it's Kingsley's portrayal of "Don" that makes it very intense and will keep you captured for the entirety of the movie. There is constantly an atmosphere of things about to explode, of constant tension and human insanity.
In fact, there is no actor doing a below par job here. The directing is excellent as is the script which is great mostly due to its astoundingly intense dialogues.
With an obvious 60's funk element added for good measure and a nod to films of that era "Sexy beast" is independent movie-making at its very best.