Sexy Beast

Ben Kingsley is great in this ultimate comedy heist movie. He is sent to wrest "Gal" (Ray Winstone) and his wife "Deedee" (Amanda Redmnan) from their well earned retirement (from the criminal fraternity) in Spain. Initially, they want nothing to do with "Logan" and his scheme, but a series of almost surreal events and a negotiation that can really only be describe as unique (and vaguely devilish) soon have them reunited with "Teddy" (Ian McShane) and plotting away merrily. Meantime, "Gal" is having some really curious dreams - and he is soon struggling to differentiate between reality and his vibrant and menacing visions. The standard thread of the story isn't much to write about, but the characterisations do make a difference here. The usually wooden Winstone works really well contrasting his hard-nosed criminal with his almost sentimental love for his wife and family. She, an erstwhile "adult entertainer" proves just as robust as him and even the unremarkable McShane has something about him that reminded me of why he was ever a charismatic success in "Lovejoy" in the first place. The plaudits do, however, go to Kingsley. Aided by a humorous and pithy script, he delivers the frankly monstrous and obnoxious character with his tongue in his cheek and a thinly veiled threat never far from his lips. I loved the last twenty minutes or so as the thing comes to an head and with plenty of twisting and writhing going on, it's anything but predictable. None of my favourite acting talent here, but hats off to Jonathan Glazer for pulling off a clever and sophisticated, yet rough and potent drama.