Review of Sexy Beast (2001) by Jerome P — 05 Nov 2013

There is a certain naivety that is associated with gangster flicks of the modern era. However, Glazer's directorial debut is far from being the two dimensional romp expected. His story about a brutal gangster Don Logan trying to hire a retired safecracker who is more than reluctant to take the job is a real stand out in the genre.

Firstly, its performances by the cast headed by a memorable intensely eccentric and magnetic Ben Kingsley performance as Don Logan are amazing. The screenplay by Mellis and Scinto is very intelligent and holds a great regard for things that are often overlooked in this genre, such as an acceptable character development and unique plot twists that shift away from the usual structures and formulas.

However, it is also thanks to Glazer's own imaginative and sometimes downright eccentric style that the film works so well. He is in tune with the script's often juxtaposed sense of humour with tragic drama and its taste for the unpredictable imminent stints into danger and suspense.