Sexy Beast (2001)

"Sexy Beast is that rarest of creatures, a first-rate British gangster movie starring Ray Winstone" Sight & Sound Jan 2001

Theatrically released in the UK on 12 Jan 2001. It has also been released in cinemas in the US (see reviews below)

It was released on PAL VHS (rental) and DVD on 16 July 2001, price £19.99. Extras on the DVD include the US and UK theatrical trailers, actors' commentaries, poster gallery, deleted scenes, cast and crew interviews and behind the scenes footage. You can buy it from Sendit here.

You can download a variety of MP3 soundclips from the movie here.

See the trailer on the 'This is London' site here. You need Realplayer (downloadable for free) to view it.

There's a Spanish language website here.

Sexy Beast was nominated for the BAFTA The Alexander Korda Award for the Outstanding British Film of the Year, but lost out to Billy Elliott.

Click here to buy this from Sendit

Synopsis from the DVD Press Release:

After nine years inside, former professional criminal Gary 'Gal' Dove (Ray Winstone) made the decision to get out of London and away from bad company. Now retired to a Spanish villa paradise with DeeDee (Amanda Redman), the wife he adores, his new life is nothing short of blissful. Then comes the phonecall.

Back in London a big job is being planned and Don Logan (Ben Kingsley), Gal's old partner in crime, arrives in Spain, intent on persuading him to return to London to take part.

Desperate not to sacrifice his carefully built idyll, Gal is drawn into a shocking battle of wills with Logan, ending in an explosive psychological showdown and a sensational underwater bank robbery in which he must risk everything to protect the woman he loves.

"I enjoyed this film very much, and felt it was definitely a cut above the plethora of British gangster movies that have been released recently. Ray gives a wonderful performance as retired gangster Gal Dove, who is living a blissful life in Spain with his wife Dee and wants nothing more than to be left alone. Into his life comes the psychotic Logan, played by Ben Kingsley, who wants him to do another heist. The reviewers have been divided on Kingsley's performance, but I thought it was beautifully judged and extraordinarily menacing, without being over-the-top. Ray gets to play a well-rounded and likeable character, and the audience is really rooting for him throughout the film. Ray is able to demonstrate his acting range and looks great in this film. The story falls off a bit in the last 20 minutes but overall it is gripping and stylishly directed." - Alison

For other reviews see:

The Times review here
The Telegraph review here
The Guardian review here
The Evening Standard review here
The Independent review here
The Canadian Star review here
The Globe and Mail (Canada) review here
Roger Ebert's syndicated review here

Internet Movie Database page on this film here.