MovieChat Forums > Sexy Beast (2001) Discussion > Have I missed something !!!

Have I missed something !!!

posted 14 years ago by john-dack
54 replies | jump to latest

Ok - This is only my 2nd post, and more or less the only reason why I joined this site, after reading and visiting it for years now.

I like to think myself as a bit of a film buff - but I'll admit I'm not as committed as others !!!!(as sports is porb my speciality)

I love Ray Winston as an actor, and follow film4 very closely also, so when film4 published there "50 films to watch before you die" and sexy beast was 5th, that's what actually confinced me to purchase it.......10 years after it had actually been made.

Now, there's lots of films that I want to see, that I don't get round to seeing as soon as there released, so I'll always make sure that I avoid the story line or any spoilers - even if I'm dodging them for years !!! haha.

Anyway, sorry for getting side tracked - but I watched sexy Beast for the 1st time tonight..............and what exactly is the fuss about????

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything special, and the plot was pretty simple.

Or is that the point and I'm missing it ???!!!!

PS: Snatch was released in the same year as sexy beast, and I thought it was much more enjoyable!!!! would this make a difference to my thoughts on this film!!!!!

[–] eolloe 12 years ago

I watched sexy Beast for the 1st time tonight..............and what exactly is the fuss about????

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything special, and the plot was pretty simple.

Or is that the point and I'm missing it ???!!!!

Totally agree.
The ONLY thing interesting about it was the striking contrast between Ben Kingsley's Don and his version of Gandhi (or other roles, if you're more familiar with his work).

The pacing in a number of the scenes was just wrong. Too long and drawn out.

[–] KitchenKnives 12 years ago

Nuances, you either get 'em or you don't. Better luck next time.

[–] jimmysmitsimdb 11 years ago

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything special, and the plot was pretty simple.

People have different tastes. I think Sexy Beast is a better film than Snatch. Neither of us is wrong.

[–] alveolate 11 years ago

SB = fantastic acting in ponderous scenes, ridiculously well-delivered lines (which were also very well-written), simple but impactful plot, just the right amount of characters and development for a feature-length movie

Snatch = short scenes, fast-paced action-dialogue, drawn-out twisty plot to produce aha moments, characters serve to fulfil plot points

SB is an actor's film -- it would be nigh impossible to film the same movie with a different cast. Snatch is more a director's film -- one could imagine re-shooting the entire movie with a totally different cast and still end up with more or less the same movie.

P.S. so you see, it is very possible to compare those films without resorting to pointless mudslinging and ad hominems. all that hoopla about being "pretentious", "overrated", even "film IQ"... i read it all as "inability to stay on topic without some self-aggrandisement".

[–] SickBoy00 11 years ago

Comparing Sexy Beast to Snatch or LSTSB (or anything Ritchie for that matter) is silly. Two completely different styles with two completely different intentions.

This movie does have its weaknesses but the style, acting and dark humor make up for any of them.

[–] The_Dim_Reaper 10 years ago

I wouldn't really call this a gangster film in the traditional sense. It's not about crime, people getting killed, the plot, etc. It's more about the past that you don't want catching up with you. All the characters in Spain have some sort of past that they'd rather move away from and Don represents the past.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pezoids 10 years ago

what exactly is the fuss about????

This still remains one of my favorite films, even after nearly 15 years. Yes, the basic plot was simple, but what makes this movie so good (in my opinion), is ultimately, the characters. Kingsley is so incredibly menacing that he steals the show. There are so many things that make this movie great. Winstones' contented present day life in paradise, compared to his suggested hellish past. Now, his idyllic life is being ultimately threatened by a maniacal demon, that has surfaced from his dark past. The tension becomes so incredible at times with Kingsley relentlessly imposing his will on Winstone.

Man, I could go on and on... The comic relief of Cal's friend Aitch, the soundtrack, the character interactions, the symbolism... it all just works so well, it leaves a lot to the imagination and everything comes together flawlessly.

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!!

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=777_1336113299

[–] cookiela2001 9 years ago

I expected this film to go much further, too, as far as what its point was. Ray Winstone is very touching in it (Ben Kingsley's one-note) but otherwise...not a very dimensional film I'd seek out to watch again, or specially recommend.

.

[–] Yorick-6 9 years ago

I'm not sure why people say Kingsley is one note in this. Yeah, he yells a lot, but a large part of why he's creepy is how he acts when he's "normal." The way he rebukes Gal for cursing, the look he gives before directing his urine stream a couple of inches to the left, his reaction when he receives the call about the job, his conversation with the airport manager, etc. Kingsley does a great job of capturing a truly disturbed individual who freaks you out even when they're doing something as simple as reading off a phone number.

[–] DarthLex77 8 years ago

Easily one of my most favourite movies.
I love the simple things in it that convey so much intensity.

One scene that springs to mind is when Teddy Bass goes to the Grosvenor whilst Gal is having his breakfast on the morning of the heist.

Bass knows Gal's lying about Don; Gal knows Bass knows he's lying; and it ends with them both laughing in a really uncomfortable way before Bass leaves with Gal chewing uncomfortably on his food.

Such a simple scene but so sinister.