Review CLXI - Sexy Beast

Review 161
Sexy Beast (2000)

It's been a while guys. Let me tell you, the end of the semester has been hectic. It's still not over, but we're almost there. Consequently, I figured it'd be time to write a review on a film related to fear and stress, Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast starring Ray Winstone, Amanda Redman, Cavan Kendall, Julianne White, and Ben Kingsley. Let's dive right in!

While looking over his fine swimming pool in Spain, Gary "Gal" Dove (Ray Winstone) is nearly killed by a giant boulder. Believing his life to have been spared, he soon finds out from his best friend Aitch (Cavan Kendall) that an old friend of theirs from their con days, Don Logan (Ben Kingsley), is coming to visit them in hopes of encouraging Gal to take up a bank heist job. With Gal's and Aitch's wives unhappy with the visit, Gal decides he must overcome his fear and refuse Don's invitation. However, easier said than done with such a man.

Sexy Beast is labelled as a crime film, which I suppose it is. I mean, the plot revolves around a bank heist. However, the movie itself focuses on getting to the robbery rather than the robbery itself. This is what sets it apart.

The main theme of the movie is fear. Before we meet Don, we already get a sense that this is not a man to be messed with. When his name is mentioned at the dinner table after Aitch tells Gal that he called, everyone at the table becomes agitated. DeeDee (Amanda Redman) actively encourages Gal to tell him he's quit the con life, with Gal agreeing that he will. When we first see Don, well, he doesn't necessarily give the most menacing appearance, but it is only when he starts speaking, with his first line complaining about the sun in a rather raunchy way, we know what we're in for. Aitch obviously brown noses with the man before Don tells him to leave with the women. We then hear the whole robbery plan and reasons behind it. However, Gal, true to his word, tells Don that he is done with the con life. Don actively encourages him, telling him he's the best, and confessing his love to Jackie (Julianne White), Aitch's wife, to Gal. Nothing stirs Gal from his decision. Violence ensues as Don tries a different approach, to no avail. After "missing" his flight, Don rushes back to Gal's home, only to reach one of our climaxes of the film. Without spoiling anything, let's just say it convinces Gal to do the job.

But this part of the movie lasts for almost two-thirds. Spoiler: we don't see the robbery until after this. The film really focuses on a man who did jail time and is now trying to live his life out in a villa in Spain with his wife and two friends. And that's what makes this film special. You get the trash-talking, you get the plans for the robbery, you get all that, but instead of that being the focus, it's showing a man trying to not back down and agree to do the heist.

And really, that's the focus. It's this man trying to overcome fear. There is a demented anthropomorphic rabbit that appears every so often, and it symbolises Gal's fear with Don. He's scared Don will kill him or never leave him. But in this case, he's facing his fear and won't back down. I think this even represents how people can have difficulty saying no to tasks at work in fear of being yelled at or cursed. But, in the end, you'll probably walk out fine. I think saying yes to opportunities is fine, but knowing when to say no is equally as important. It's pretty neat.

I won't say that Sexy Beast is a masterpiece by any stretch, but it's damned interesting. It's a different take on a film like Ocean's Eleven and instead focuses on getting the heist together. When you think you've reached one climax, you realise you still have another one. It's pretty cool. If you're looking for something different to watch, but still want a crime type of kick, definitely check this one out. Ray Winstone (I keep saying Flinstone in my head) really does a great job, and Ben Kingsley, well, what can I expect but a great madman? A nice little film.