Sexy Beast opens up with plump and somewhat grotesque Gary "Gal" Dove (Ray Winstone) soaking up the sun’s rays in his Spanish oceanfront home. We witness his pleasure, and we can hear his thoughts as he describes himself "roasting, boiling, baking, sweltering." He was a career criminal, but he gave up his old ways, married a former porn star, and simply wants to settle down and be left alone. He’s obviously made enough money so that he has no more worries, but then a large boulder comes crashing down the hillside, narrowly missing him, that lodges itself in the center of his pool. It’s an ominous premonition that something a whole lot worse is going to come crashing Gary’s way.

Not long after the boulder arrives, so too does Don Logan, played with devilish wonder by Ben Kingsley. Don may be a slight, wiry man, but with only a few foul words delivered with machine-gun precision, we know he’s someone to be feared. He’s come to convince Gary to do one last job back home in England. Gary has no interest, but Don won’t take no for an answer, and it’s this wonderful back-and-forth exchange they have that takes up the lion’s share of the movie’s running time. In one hilarious scene, Don tries to get Gary to open his soul about why he’s so apprehensive about taking on this job. Don even assures Gary that he’s a "good listener." This is akin to a spouse reassuring their mate that they won’t get mad if they tell the truth. Gary begins to respond, and it’s clear from the first word that he’s once again letting Don know that he’s not interested. Don won’t hear of it and laces into a wicked run of expletives about Gary’s personal appearance that would make any man crumble on the spot (if you buy the film’s soundtrack on CD, you can get this and numerous other bits of dialogue from the film).

Director Quentin Tarantino and actor Samuel L. Jackson pioneered the modern-day, fast-talking gangster in Pulp Fiction. Here first-time director Jonathan Glazer and Ben Kingsley do a similar spin, but with a fresh, very British twist that makes for one of the most memorable movie villains in years.

I loved Sexy Beast. This is a dark, cutting, and edgy film that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who like films in the Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels vein, I’m sure you’ll love Sexy Beast too. This film also has a good story right down to a daring robbery that takes place under water! I’m not sure if it’s Don, Gary, or Gary’s wife who’s really supposed to be the "sexy beast," but no matter, this fine film gets a **** rating.

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