SEXY BEAST

2001

This movie has so many good things going for it, let me get the one BAD thing out of the way up front. When will the English/Irish/Scottish filmmakers realize that Americans can't understand a word that they're saying on screen? Please give us sub-titles! The plot, about a London criminal who comes to the Costa del Sol in Spain, to "convince" one of his former mates to come back for one last job, takes a back seat to (a) director Brian Glazer's incredible ability to create, through the use of style, mood, and acting, the most tension-filled movie of the year, (b) this year's best acting job so far: the performance by Ben Kingsley as Don Logan, the psychopathic criminal, (c) the beautiful reactive acting of the other cast members, (Ray Winstone, Amanda Redman, Ian McShane and James Fox) who through their subdued performances help to make Kingsley's character seem more frightening and over-the-top than it might have been, had they all been directed to play at the same level of energy. Kingsley, who is sure to be nominated for an Oscar, uses every "trick" at his disposal to create a truly memorable monster. He's terrifying even when he's sitting perfectly still. His character will stay with you long after you've left the theater. Try NOT to think about him!

4 Stars

NJB

Gal Dove (Ray Winston) lays by his pool, sweltering away in the sun in only a skimpy Speedo. That's the scene that opens the film and pretty much sets the weird, offbeat tone for the remainder of the film. Ray plays a retired criminal who has settled down with the woman he loves. The suspense starts when he learns that Don Logan, played by Ben Kingsley, is coming to pull him back to do one last job. And what a nutjob Kingsley plays! You might as well pencil him in right now for an Oscar nomination because everyone else has. He is very good and everyone else in the film is, too, but the only reason to see the film is really for his performance. The story is a bit slow. For about a good half-hour you're really only watching Gal and Don argue. It all makes for an odd sort of crime thriller that is kind of predictable in its ending anyways. The biggest challenge I had with this film is the thick British accents. Much like Little Voice and Lock Stock, you almost need subtitles to follow all of the dialogue. And what's with that deranged rabbit-man thing? Its freaking me out, man!

3 Stars

CDF