Sexy Beast (2001)
Imagine a film directed by "Snatch"
helmer Guy Ritchie some 20 years from now and you
get a pretty good idea of what "Sexy Beast" is like.
It mines similar territory as the British Ritchie's
films do, namely ageing mobsters who use the word
"cunt" a lot. But there is a real artistry, patience
and maturity missing in Ritchie's films that can be
found in "Sexy Beast."
Director Jonathan Glazer, himself best
known for directing beer ads in his native land, immediately
sets us up to enjoy the film. The opening music by
Unkle really establishes a unique feel for the film
and Ray Winstone's large facade and engaging narration
draw us into Glazer's story. Winstone plays Gal, a
retired mobster whose retreated to the beautiful lush
existence of a Spanish villa with his ex-porn-star
wife. In addition to another couple similar to themselves
to entertain, Winstone also has a nice chemistry with
a young Spanish pool boy, who could easily be named
Mowgli, who is sort of his adopted son. Everything
seems good, until Gal's past catches up with him.
Gal's past comes embodied by Ben Kingsley
as Don Logan. Miles removed from his character in
the award winning "Ghandi," Kingsley here creates
his most dynamic and vibrant film character ever.
Don is a complete asshole, a real pain. When you get
to know him on screen, you cringe. He makes life unbearable
and it is no surprise to us that Gal and his pals
want him gone. Don is such a "cunt" that he actually
purposefully pisses on the bathroom floor while taking
a whiz. We hate him.
Glazer uses some really nice cinematic
devices to tell his story. His use of music is phenomenal.
And he never telegraphs the film's ending to us. As
audience, we simply have to sit back and trust him,
and he makes that quite easy to do. When the film
ends, we have a story that is interesting, unique
and engrossing. "Sexy Beast" is one of the best damn
films I've seen all year.
