Review of 44 Inch Chest (2009) by Jan D — 03 Jan 2010

"Sexy Beast" writers Louis Mellis & David Scinto offers a hard look at masculinty and revenge but not in a way you'd expect. "44 Inch Chest" is a offbeat character study with a theatrical feel. Set in a hard boiled criminal underworld, "44 Inch chest" starts with Colin Diamond's (Ray Winstone) emotinal breakdown after finding out about his wife's infidelity. In a fit of rage and frustration, Colin and his friends, a bunch of loudmouth thugs, gamblers and small time crooks kindaps the wifes young lover for some vigilante-style marriage counseling.

"44 Inch Chest" is both morally complex and funny as hell. The cast is outstanding and listening to John Hurt curse up a storm as old Old Man Peanut is a downright delight and watching Ray Winstone's character Colin Diamond descending into madness only to wash ashore with his sanity and humanity intact is a moving experience.