One of Britain's most highly regarded gangster films is being shown on television this evening, boasting some of the finest cast and crew British cinema has ever assembled for a crime film. The 2000 picture marked Jonathan Glazer's directorial debut (long before he created Under the Skin and The Zone of Interest) and stars Ray Winstone as Gary "Gal" Dove, a former criminal enjoying a peaceful existence on the Costa del Sol with his wife, DeeDee.
However, that tranquillity proves short-lived - it's shattered the moment Don Logan, portrayed by Ben Kingsley, enters the scene. He insists that Gal participate in one last bank robbery back in London, orchestrated by crime boss Teddy Bass, brought to life by Ian McShane.
A Classic Reaches Television
From that point onwards, Sexy Beast unfolds into a series of gripping events, primarily focusing on Gal's wish to remain retired and Don's intensifying pressure that he cannot decline. The situation becomes more fraught when Gal implies Don's true reason for the visit is his interest in his friend's wife, Jackie - which triggers the film's most significant moments.
Holding an 87% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the picture has maintained its critical standing. The site's verdict states the film "rises above other movies in the British gangster genre due to its performances."
Kingsley's Performance Praised
Much of the internet acclaim, however, centres on Kingsley's portrayal of Don Logan, highlighted as one of the most memorable antagonist performances in British cinema history. "Remember the Gandhi of Ben Kingsley? Wait until you see him here as Don Logan, a psychotic gangster, the British equivalent of Pesci in Goodfellas. Kingsley's work is more bizarrely eccentric. And more accomplished," one reviewer wrote.
Another described the film as "An absolute classic. Tightly written and well directed, Kingsley and McShane in particular, are outstanding." A third added: "Kingsley is terrifying in this movie, an absolutely stunning performance."
Awards and Legacy
Another critic went even further, placing it amongst the finest films of its generation. They characterised it as "a crime drama that is beautifully shot and exceptionally well written. Led by Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Don Logan, one of the scariest characters ever seen on the big screen. A movie that is even in its quiet moments is filled with fear."
For his performance as Don, Kingsley secured Best Supporting Actor awards from numerous critics' associations, including the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Toronto Film Critics Association, while receiving nominations for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Academy Award. The film claimed Best Director and Best Screenplay honours at the British Independent Film Awards.
Sexy Beast remains, to this day, regarded as one of the finest British films ever produced and even spawned a prequel television series that premiered in 2024, exploring Don Logan's backstory. Sexy Beast will be on Film4 tonight at 10.50 pm.
