Sexy Beast a 20th century fox film, released in 2000 is a black comedy crime film written by Louis Mellis and David Scinto and directed by Jonathon Glazer, other films to his credit include, Birth 2004, Under The Skin, 2013 and acclaimed holocaust film THE zone of Interest 2023. He also has done extensive work directing iconic music videos for Radiohead and Massive Attack.
I’ve read quite a few movie tribute reviews in the last few days, Christmas is a time when we all have a bit more time on our hands to catch up on films we’ve never seen like for me the hilarious Youtha Joyce and Brian Murphy in The George and Mildred Film 1980, I have a special affinity to these characters, George and Mildred, The Man About the House prequel and subsequent movie, I shared with my Grandmother when I was ‘too young’ and not allowed to watch so to catch this over the holidays, something I’ve never seen before, was magic.
Sexy Beast is the complete opposite to a light funny film you catch and let go like a butterfly or a fish, it’s a keeper, one that stays with you. When I first saw it at release 25 years ago, I watched it maybe 10 times, and certain lines became part of regular conversation for some years afterwards like ‘It’s hot” watch and you’ll understand.
The film stars Ray Winstone a British acting giant, alongside Oscar winner Ben Kingsley, who was nominated for best supporting actor in 2002 academy awards, pipped at the post by Jim Broadbent for his role in Iris, a good film but to my mind he was robbed.
Sexy beast is probably Kingleys most memorable role where he expertly plays a psycho criminal Don Logan who travels to Spain to recruit Gal Dove, ex con going straight played magnificently by Winstone. The two together are movie magic. These precision actors deftly manage the quick fire dialogue and the close up shooting completely intensifies the action. In contrast, the director, Glazer exploits the humour of the stereotypical East London gangster in the costumes and the subtle styling of the film. Spanish hacienda, Sun Sea and Sangria, Gal living it up with his ex porn star wife, Deedee played by Amanda Redman, the classic foursome hanging out with their friends, Abigail’s party style Jacqui and H wearing open neck shirts, gold chains, off the shoulder cheesecloth frocks and wedged espadrilles, all super corny, cigars, cocktails, lots of sunbathing, over sun tanned skin, the imagined ‘we’ve made it life” in the sun of a retired gangster in a 35mm nutshell takes the viewer straight into the action, there in a blink of an eye.
But there’s trouble in paradise when ex associate Don Logan turns up to make sure Gal makes up the crew for a hit on a London UK security box vault, one last bank heist organised by Teddy Bass, a shady and very scary character played ruthlessly by Ian McShane with friends in high places, security vault owner Harry played by James Fox, with a weakness easily exploited.
Think Jason Stathan crime thriller, with a little Guy Richie wit, dark, complicated characters, an intricately woven backstory of criminal underworld and clever direction on the side. The script is comfortingly familiar when it comes to the plot but so highly original in writing and direction. There’s loads of close up conversation, it’s sinister and fast paced and so brilliantly acted it keeps you gripped and on high alert throughout. I thinks that’s why it’s a film you can watch over and over without ever getting bored. It’s a story we can all delve into. It tells the tale of How none of us can ever really escape our past how ever hard we may try to leave it all behind. Nothing is truer in Sexy Beast where the scariest of people cannot be feared or ran from they must be faced.
It feels like a short film, it probably isn’t, it’s very fast paced and builds cleverly to a scary climax. For first time watchers there are some out of nowhere scenes and shocking twists and turns in the last thirds of the film.
SEXY BEAST is what happens when you combine incredible British acting talent, it doesn’t get better than his epic cast, with a corny relatable simple story, quotable, memorable, clever, clever, writing, fast paced Guy Richie style direction and edge of your seat drama and unexpected twist.
What a movie. An absolute classic. Feels so independent, never before, never again, must watch. The only thing unexpected made by a massive studio, 20th Century Fox.