Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22738 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-01-13
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 84 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Fed up with the seemingly endless succession of Brit gangster flicks? Or just wish that someone would reinvent the genre? Either way, Sexy Beast is for you. While reintroducing some of the well-worn characters of recent years, the film at least attempts to take a sideways look at the genre. Centred on the lives of two ex-con ex-pats and their new lives in Spain, the story is one concerning the conflict between the past and the present. Ray Winston is Gel, who, enjoying his life of early retirement in the sun, finds his loyalties called into question when asked to return to Britain to take part in an audacious heist. There's not much else to say plot wise, but the script and cast is so strong that the film gets away with it. Eschewing the younger brat pack in favour of the likes of Winston, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman (sadly under-used) and Ben Kingsley (whose ultra foul-mouthed Don steals every scene) gives the film a calm authority. Quite violent--although more in language than action--but not without its moments of brilliant humour, Sexy Beast is an intelligent, enthralling and welcome addition to the gangster-film genre. --Phil Udell

Special Features
2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Deleted Scene
Theatrical Trailer
Behind The Scenes
Poster Gallery
On Location
Cast And Crew Interviews
Audio Description For Visually Impaired

Synopsis
Jonathan Glazer, the award-winning director of advertisements and music videos, presents his feature film debut with this lushly photographed, expertly written, and brilliantly performed convention-defying gangster film. SEXY BEAST jettisons the slickness of the LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS school in favor of intricate character development. In its opening shot, Gary "Gal" Dove (Ray Winstone)--a big-bellied ex-gangster with a cockney accent--is sunning himself pool side at his luxe villa on Spain's Costa Del Sol when a gigantic boulder hurtles down a hillside, almost killing him. This near miss serves as a troublesome portent, but it hardly affects Gal, who is immersed in his tranquil life with wife Deedee (Amanda Redman), who he adores with earnest fervor. However, Gal's peace is soon shattered by the arrival of Don Logan (Ben Kingsley, using his shaved skull, spare frame, and ramrod posture to pose as an anti-Gandhi), a brutal former accomplice looking to recruit Gal for a heist. A battle of wills ensues when Gal refuses to leave retirement, and the frighteningly intense Don refuses to take no for an answer. Glazer expertly heightens the film's tension using shifts in the pacing and flashbacks, while Kingsley and Winstone imbue their characters with gorgeous life.

Customer Reviews

"I love you, Gal. You're lovable. Big lovable bloke"
This classy gangster movie was mostly filmed in southern Spain and was the first movie directed by Jonathan Glazer.

Ray Winstone and Ben Kinsley provide two outstanding performances, the latter turning into one of the most terrifying movie characters ever.

The plot is very interesting and the movie is fast, the 90 minutes go very quickly. A retired gangster enjoys life in the sun when he is recalled to London to do a special job, with unexpected consequences.

There is some violence and plenty of strong language, but it is not glamorizing.

The extras in the DVD are almost worthless, by the way.

AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE...
This is a strangely compelling film, made so by the riveting performance of Ben Kingsley, who plays vitriolic, psychotic, British gangster, Don Logan. With a pulse pounding, rat-a-tat-tat delivery of lines and with a totally sinister and utterly ruthless persona, Don Logan, spewing cockney accented venom, is about as frightening a gangster as one may imagine. It is no wonder that Kingsley was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

The plot is simple. Retired thief, Gary "Gal" Dove (Ray Winstone), is living a relaxing, carefree life with his wife, DeeDee (Amanda Redman), an ex-porn star whom he clearly adores. With their ill gotten gains, they live in a beautiful, luxurious villa in Spain. They have a pool boy, Enrique, a local boy of whom they are clearly fond and who, it turns out, is fond of them. Former gangster, Aitch (Cavan Kendall) and his significant other, Jackie (Julianne White) also live in Spain. They all hang out together, living the good life. Their idyllic and carefree, expatriate lives are all shattered one day by the unwelcome intrusion of Don Logan, who comes to see Gal, as he wants to bring Gal out of retirement and back to England for one more heist. Don makes him an offer that, ultimately, due to a series of events, Gal finds that he cannot refuse.

The film is really not so much about the heist itself, though it is an integral part of the film. It is really about love, and what one will do to protect those whom one loves. While Kingsley's performance is a showstopper, Ray Winstone gives a notable performance as a teddy bearish kind of guy. He is a retired gangster who has gone soft and just wants to live the good life in peace with his wife and with the company of a few friends. He truly does not want to be involved in the heist. He just wants to get out from under. Amanda Redman give a strong performance as DeeDee, a woman who will stop at nothing to secure the sanctity of her home and the safety of those whom she loves. Ian McShane is appropriately menacing and single minded as the mob boss heading up the heist. The rest of the cast is also superlative, making this an excellent, though different, gangster flick.

Be forewarned that the language employed by Don Logan in the film is absolutely filthy and offensive, and it is intended to be. So, if your sensibilities are easily offended, this is not the film for you. Moreover, the cockney accented delivery of lines was sometimes so fast, that I ended watching the widescreen version with the English language subtitles on, so that I would not miss a thing. Hurrah for DVD for making this possible!

"Do the job"
An extremely well made british gangster movie with some excellent performances. Ben Kingsley is a million miles away from Ghandi thats for sure, also Ian Mcshane exhibits a chilling menace. I particularly liked the way he kept questioning Ray Winstone on Don Logans whereabouts, you got the feeling he knew he was lying. What can you say about Ben Kingsley in this film, he knew everyone hated him yet he didnt care. Talking to himself in the mirror inspired scene. Ray Winstone looks far more at home here than he did in the Departed a man looking to escape his gangster past.