Sexy Beast (2000)

Brutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.

Director:

Jonathan Glazer

Writers:

Louis Mellis, David Scinto

Stars:

Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 21 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Winstone	...	Gal
Ben Kingsley	...	Don Logan
Ian McShane	...	Teddy Bass
Amanda Redman	...	Deedee Dove
James Fox	...	Harry
Cavan Kendall	...	Aitch
Julianne White	...	Jackie
Álvaro Monje	...	Enrique (as Alvaro Monje)
Robert Atiko	...	Andy
Nieves del Amo Oruet	...	Air Hostess
Enrique Alemán Fabrega	...	Pilot
Gérard Barray	...	Spanish Official (as Gerard Barray)
José Maria Cano Ramos	...	Felipe's Friend 1 (as José Ma. Cano Ramos)
Desirée Erasmus	...	Jean
Santiago Frias Munoz	...	Policia 2

Storyline

Gal, Deedee, Aitch and Jackie, having left behind respective lives of ill-repute, bask in the sun of Spain and in the most essential brand of leisure. A hazy yarn of barbecues, beer and botched hunting expeditions make up their retirements, until a sudden and unforeseen disruption emerges from their past. Enter the childishly violent and hilariously edgy Don Logan. Through a series of side-splitting negotiations and irrevocable acts, retired crook Gal is forced to shake off the rust and accept one last mission, put forth by the menacing Logan, his ex-mentor. A heist of legendary proportion and personal implications, this job should make for one hell of an encore.

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | spain | one last job | heist | surrealistic dream | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes It's Hard To Say No

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, strong violence and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The conversation in the kitchen between Gal (Ray Winstone) and Don (Sir Ben Kingsley) originally took place in the living room, but director Jonathan Glazer decided that a more domestic and less formal setting would be more effective. Also, the shot where Don kicks the cabinet doors was done in only one take. Glazer decided that coverage wasn't necessary.

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Goofs

In the scene before Teddy and Gal go to visit the bank manager, Teddy is driving a 1990-1994 Silver Porsche 911 (964 model). When it shows them going to the airport it is a 1995-98 model (993 model number).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gal: [Gal is sunbathing by poolside] Oh, yeah. Bloody hell. I'm sweating in here. Roasting. Boiling. Baking. Sweltering. It's like a sauna. Furnace. You can fry an egg on my stomach. Ohh, who wouldn't lap this up? It's ridiculous. Tremendous. Fantastic. Fan-dabby-dozy-tastic.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Ben Kingsley Performances (2015)

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Soundtracks

Cuba
Performed by The Gibson Brothers
Original Published by Bleu Blanc Rouge / Zagora
UK Sub-publisher R&E Music Limited
Composed by Daniel Vangarde and Jean Joseph Kluger (as Jean Kluger)
(c) Licensed by Zagora

User Reviews

Hilarious British crime comedy with a dark edge

Sexy Beast is a funny and highly enjoyable crime movie punctuated by some blood curdling violence. The film was directed by Jonathen Glazer, who was responsible for most of the recent amazing Guinness beer adverts.

Ray Winstone is Gal, a retired criminal enjoying retirement in Spain with friends and the woman he loves. But this is shattered by the arrival of a menacing figure from his past in the shape of pyschotic Don Logan (played with evil intensity by Ben Kingsley). Don wants Gal for one last spectacular job and will do just about anything to get him, including threatening Gal's beloved wife.

The story is told at a fast pace, with several surreal interludes but never loses momentum. Ray Winstone puts in another loveable badboy performance that he does so well, but the film is dominated by Kingsley who steals every scene he is in and creates one of the most menacing screen villains in recent memory. The brilliance of the film is that it manages to combine so many disparate elements (thriller, comedy, and a touching love story to say the least) into a cohesive and highly entertaining whole. A real pleasure to watch and a striking, brilliant debut.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Spain

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 July 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sexy Beast

Filming Locations:

Grosvenor Hotel, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$170,356, 17 June 2001

Gross USA:

$6,946,056

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,045,677

Company Credits

Production Co:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC), FilmFour, Chronopolis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1