Rating: 
Summary: Trouble in Paradise
Review: "Sexy Beast" opens on a scene of simple, Hockney-like geometry. A square pool. A horizontal white plinth of lounge chair. A male body, roughly rectangular. Many shades of blue. The establishing shot marvels at a near-African sun.Two overlapping pink hearts, candy-shaped, feature in mosaic at the bottom of the perfect blue pool. These are the kind of hearts that, like tiki torches and umbrella-laden drinks, suddenly look agreeable, even touching, and so deeply right in a tropical setting. Totally tasteless and totally sincere. No impoverished labourers created that mosaic, no: those hearts are made of pure love. The body looks edible, tenderized, like a slab of medium-rare steak. The slicked-back hair is a glorious honey blond, striped with white. The body is doughy and middle-aged but still lushly beautiful, tanned the ridiculous mahogany of vacationing Englishmen. It is covered only with tiny yellow Speedo briefs. The body can barely rouse itself to deliver a rapturous monologue on its pleasures. Sun, semi-nudity, solitude. It's all right there on the surface. A vision of calming hedonism, of gorgeousness in exile on the Costa del Sol. The souped-up reggae of "Peaches" by the Stranglers is a perfect, cheerily insinuating soundtrack. Gal Dove, retired Cockney gang member and burglar, is enjoying an eternal poolside junket in a world without melanoma. Reflecting on a former life in England, he mutters: "It's a dump. Don't make me laugh. What a toilet." Gal clambers up from his white sun bed to appreciate his existence from a rare perspective of verticality. Suddenly, a massive boulder rolls without explanation down a nearby hill, just clears Gal's shoulder, and crashes into the perfect square pool, filling it almost completely and breaking the two hearts. It feels all very Aesop's Fables, somehow. That night, news arrives of the immanent descent of criminal middleman Don Logan from London to this Spanish paradise. Gal (Ray Winstone) lives with his beloved wife, former porn actress DeeDee, and two close friends from London, Aitch and Jackie. All wilt with fear at the mention of Logan's name; his arrival for an overnight visit brings new meaning to the term home invasion. Logan is played by Ben Kingsley, best known in the title role of Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi". Both the casting and the performance are shocking, and here Kingsley brilliantly and easily earns his Oscar nomination. Logan turns out to be a swami of ultra-violence, as spare as a shark: a rage-machine in a short-sleeved dress shirt and cheap flannel trousers. His bony, bumpy head, as he sits rigid in the back of a taxi, is bald, still. He is given to paranoid dialogues with the mirror in the dead of night, winding himself up until he literally kicks Gal out of bed. His speech is disturbingly speedy, and he has the habit of repeating the pigtails of sentences with brawling disbelief. Previous collaborations with Logan in high-line robbery have already earned Gal nine years in prison. Logan, himself under pressure from decadent crime boss Teddy Bass, has come to recruit the unwilling Gal to empty the safety deposit boxes of a London bank, whose vault is billed as one of the most inaccessible in Europe. (The planned entry is fittingly swank: eight thugs will tunnel through the pool of a Turkish bath adjacent to the bank, creating an underwater ballet of snorkelling and welding gear.) Gal's clean, spacious hacienda is instantly infused with claustrophobic tension and the atmosphere of domestic violence. Logan's momentary kindness (shot through with homoerotic yearning, as in his confession to Gal: "I love you. You are loveable. Big loveable bloke") only wrong-foot the audience, making the next assault sting all the more. "Dove the love," rhapsodizes Logan. "Glamorous Gal, big Gal. Gorgeous. You used to have a great body, great physique. Handsome." Logan pivots to invoke DeeDee's resume of old super-16 porn films: "Dear me. What a stain on your life. All the Persil in the world couldn't shift it. She's disgusting." Don Logan won't take no for an answer. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," he screams. Kingsley unleashes the black comedy in Logan's rage by playing him deadpan, implying Logan's ratty cunning, not Kingsley's irony. Gal is a bullyboy no longer. He is touchingly devoted to his marriage and the simple pleasures of lounge lizardry. He acts as a father-figure to the local pool-boy. Appraising Gal's beefy, sun-blackened body, Logan hilariously spits out: "You should be ashamed of yourself. You look like f***ing Idi Amin." Power is exerted through the criminal chain of command through sexual bullying. Teddy Bass is offered a crack at the bank's vaults by a suavely nude bank president at an orgy they both attend. Logan veers with terrifying arbitrariness from spasms of homophobia to hints at inconceivable violence. "That can all change," he threatens Jackie, remarking on her beauty. "You've got very nice eyes, DeeDee. Never noticed them before. They real?" Prior to Don's arrival, Gal and Aitch take the pool-boy shooting, and comically fail to bring down the tiny bunny in their sites. Soon come dreams and hallucinations to haunt Gal featuring a giant, homicidal man-rabbit. Staged by debut film director Jonathan Glazer, these arty interludes have proven virtually impossible for critics to assimilate, though they are as successful as they are ambitious. Imagine Matthew Barney splicing the Manx iconography of "Cremaster 4" into a hybrid psychodrama-gangster film. The gun-wielding man-rabbit first appears an emblem of Don Logan, then of Teddy Bass, but later seems to signify dread itself. Glazer finds a textured ensemble piece in a gangster film, and employs photography of exquisite quality. His keen formalist instinct enables him to subtly refract audio-visual effect through Gal's first rapturous, later panicky perspective. The verbal duels of Gal and Don are as captivating as a shoot-out, elevating what might have been a genre film to the status of art.
Rating:
Summary: Not Exactly Noel Coward
Review: 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
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting little flick worth seeing
Review: There was a lot of hype for this movie when it came out, and although some of it is warranted, it's much better than most but certainly not a masterpiece. ASSETS: Amazing casting of every single character, with a showy performance by Ben Kingsley, but all of the performers are great. Well directed. The story sticks to it's intent and does not try to be all things to all people. Great cinematography and innovative execution of heist and I did not see it coming. Believable characters who you wind up caring about. Ben Kingsley's performance is fantastic, but overrated because it differs from that which he gave in "Gandhi." CONS: The "rabbit" man. Please...... Talk about hitting the viewer over the head with a metaphor!!! Although the story is simple, it lacks punch and in my opinion loses much steam when it should really be picking up even more steam. Although this can't be considered a true "con", the accents are really hard to understand. The end effect for me is that it kept me watching more intently so it's a .... shoot as to whether it will annoy you or entertain you. Final Analysis: All in all and entertaining flick, but not a must-see. The performances are outstanding as is the direction, but the story needs a better last act. If you are in the mood for a foreign flick of this nature, try "Croupier" and even this one if you keep expectations in check.
Rating:
Summary: Unrelenting British Gangster Film
Review: If you like gangster films, you'll be able to sit through this one, but be forewarned, it's one of those British films that is very, very violent and in your face at all times. Ben Kingsley plays the most irritating and threatening houseguest this side of The Big Bad Wolf who will just not give up trying to convince a retired crime dude, Gal, to accept a "job." Gal and the Kingsley character go back and forth, back and forth arguing about the "job." After a while, the audience start to think, OK WE GET THE POINT! Can we just move on? Positives: a great cast with great faces, a soundtrack that is quirky without being intrusive or distracting and perfect settings (hot sunny Spain and cool dark London). As with most films from the British Isles, I just can not understand the dialogue, so the closed caption feature really helps.
Rating: 
Summary: "Roastin', Broilin', Bakin'..."
Review: First, let me say, I like the screensaver with Ray Winstone who plays "Gal" sunbathing in the sun with his thoughts of "Roastin', Broiling, Baking...". Very cute! Which also happens to be the first lines of the film. I like the start of the film with the Englishman sunbathing. He has a boy that helps him with the pool. A boulder rolls down the hill, over the standing Englishman and into his swimming pool. The serenity changes when Don, played by Ben Kingsley comes to visit. Polite at first, but moody. When Don has a talk with Gal, he wants Gal to do a hitman's job. Gal says he has "retired". Gal will not do the job. Don becomes erratic. Once he hits Gal in the stomach. At night, while Don is shaving, he begins taking to himself getting himself worked up. Suddenly he walks into Gal's bedroom, who is sleeping with his love, and beats Gal while he slept. Gal and Don have another talk. Don still tries to pressure Gal into doing the hitman job. Don finally leaves in a cab to the airport. Don causes a problem on the flight because he wants to smoke his cigarette during take-off. Later, he goes back to Gal's house with a vengeance. Don is out of control. Gal is hurt. The boy points a rifle at Don. Don talks him out of it and then hurts the boy. Then Gal's love points a rifle at Don. To find out what happens next you'll have to see the rest of this film. Ben Kingsley is such a versitile, talented actor. He is different in every role he does. His accent for the role is perfection. You may need to put on the English subtitles just to understand the words in the thick English accent. Ben Kingsley was nominated in 2002 for Best Supporting Actor for an Academy Award. Fastest movie I've ever sat through. I was so engrossed. It ended way to quick for me. I could have sat through one more hour. Nice Dean Martin tune! In the Extra Features, Commentary by Ben Kingsley and Producer Jeremy Thomas, a seven-minute featurette of behind-the scenes of Sexy Beast, Theatrical Trailer, International Trailer and TV Spot included.
Rating:
Summary: So so film, but Kingsley Rocks!
Review: Well, I went to a premiere for this film (had 60 free tickets). Worth every penny (ha ha). Ben Kingsely is wonderful as a maniacal gangster trying to convince Ray Winstone to go back to the mob for one more job. Kingsely just won't take no for an answer and the tension is wonderful. Unfortunately the rest of the film .... There is no character development and there is no real story direction. If your aiken to the dry comedy and pulp violence of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, then this might be for you. By the time its over you say 'Who cares?'. Congrats Ben, but next time pick a better film.
Rating:
Summary: You sexy beast
Review: Following the recent tendency set by young british directors like Guy Ritchie ("Lock, stock and two smoking barrels" and "Snatch"), Jonathan Glazer's "Sexy beast" is fast paced, colorful (even if it's based on dark grounds), with an unusual script and more unusual camera angles and shots (there's a scene when we see a roling boulder through the boulder's point of view!). The story is about retired gangster Gal, played by Ray Winstone. He's about forty-five, a little bit overweight, living with his beautiful wife in a glamorous and sunny spanish villa. Then word reaches him a guy named Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) is looking for him for a final j ob. When we're introduced to Don Logan, he's not even on screen, but the faces the characters make when they're talking about Logan are enough to foresee what Logan's presence means. But in fact it's worse. Ben Kingsley, in an excellent performance, brings to life a raw, machine-gun-swearing, tactless person, a character created to bring rage even to eventual old-ladies who will watch the movie. Everything he does and says is directed to do harm to someone else. His job is to convince Gal to do this last job, but he's not going to have an easy time, brute or not. "Sexy beast" is different from other movies of the genre, because its story concentrates not on the making of the "final job", but rather on the relationship of Don Logan with the other main characters, and that made the difference for me. Also, the fact that, except for Kingsley and James Fox, I knew none of the other actors, made the movie more believable. The funny thing is that Kingsley based the Logan character on his grandmother. Not a light entertainment, but no plot twists every five minutes either. An OK movie whose foundations lay on Kingsley's outstanding performance. Grade 8.2/10
Rating:
Summary: Ain't No Fun When the Wabbit's Got the Gun...
Review: ...and other clever cliches designed to garner positive votes. This is a supremely well done heist cine that has Ben Kingsley delivering a full throttled, no-holds-barred perfomance as a British gangsta trying to get the glamourous living, retired ex-crook Winstone out to do one last job. Winstone has it all--a beautiful, sexy wife, a villa in Spain, good friends and plenty of poolside sun. Why would he want to risk that? Besides, the worst thing about this venture would be the sputtering, nuclear melting, cursing, rabid, rabid, f-word spewing Kingsley. He's the type of guy who knows no level of disgust--even bad guys have a problem with this dude. See how Kingsley tries to convert Winstone to cockroach level. And how sometimes boulders rolling in swimming pools have a purpose, after all.
Rating:
Summary: "You're doin the job"!
Review: There is a scene in 'Sexy Beast' where retired gangster, Gal Dove (Ray Winstone), is informed that former colleague Don Logan is coming to see him to try and "persuade" him to take on a job in London. The look on Winstone's face is one of absolute horror as if he's just seen the devil himself and you think "surely Don Logan cant be that bad. Why don't you just say no Ray old boy?". And then Don arrives and you can see Ray's point. Big time.
"Sexy Beast", though marketed as a gangster film, is only the skeleton of one. In fact the film's sole point of interest is it's jilted protagonist , Don Logan . In a performance that is both shocking and supremely brilliant, Ben Kingsley creates a pit bull of a man so totally irrational and full of raw unchecked aggression that it is impossible to believe that the very same actor won an Academy award for his portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi. In an attempt to convince Gal to return with him to London, Logan abuses and assaults everyone he encounters with Kingsley spitting cockney profanities and throwing his strange body around like a spoilt child . And whilst it is Kingsley' s performance that is the talking point, he is supported by a very solid English cast, particularly the laconic Ray Winstone whose understated performance adds much to the films unnerving tension.
Rating:
Summary: Don't mess with Don...
Review: 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.
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