44 Inch Chest [DVD] [2009]

The film is outstanding in its portrayal of a "man who loved too much" going psycho and then pulling back.The language is extreme but given a stylised almost poetic rhythm; great nods here to David Mamet and his stylised approach to dialogue.As others have said it feels very much like a stage play in its claustrophobic 5(+1 in hood) men in a room talking heads approach; and if you're after the usual car chases, blood and guts and trite ending this is not for you.The characters are, I think, ciphers for different aspects of Ray's character, Colin Diamond's mindJohn Hurt's old man peanut is a vicious misogynist, angry about everythingSteven Dillane as Mal, violent without conscience, wanting an eye for an eyeTom Wilkinson as Archie, loyal, loves his mum and wants life long commitmentIan McShane's Meredith, the cold intellectual. Who never loves, with sex being an act not an emotion. His gayness perhaps being used to convey Colin's feeling of loss of masculinity because of his wife's infidelity. These characters are used to get Colin to face his dilemma and decide on revenge (on the hooded & cuffed perpetrator in the corner) or acceptance that he has lost, and let the perpetrator go .The other characters, Joanne Whalley as the wife and a weirdly OTT cameo from Steven Berkoff are seen in flashback to fill out the back story.I was gripped by this well acted film from start to finish and as I ejected the blu ray from the machine was left with the question, was any of it real, or was this all played out in Colin's mind in the drunken aftermath of his wife saying "I've met someone else"...I don't know but I'm glad the film made me think something!

44 Inch Chest [DVD] [2009 ]I thought i'd better write a review as i think that the majority of reviews have been based on the preconceptions of the critic, rather than the actual film. I don't think the product has been marketed fairly - as a run of the mill gangster movie, released some time after completion, with a trailer that gave a false impression of pace by cherry picking the highlights - when it is more of a sophisticated film that indulges the actors rather than the audience, or the Director. It is more Brecht and Pinter, stage and TV, than Scorsese and the movies. As with 'Nil By Mouth', the watching is uncomfortable and not gratuitous, yet the stylised writing and well developed characters give us plenty of opportunity to laugh, sometimes at moments when we should be squirming at our own inadequacies. In years to come, i think this film will bear a resemblance to Charles Laughton's ill received 'The Night of the Hunter' in so far as gaining respect over time for it's psychological value and craft, rather than success for it's immediate commercial selling power.

I saw this on TV when abroad and made a note of its title to get the DVD as I just had to watch it againStarring Ray Winstone (Colin Diamond - the Cuckold husband ) , Ian McShane (Meredith - a cold homosexual Intellectual), Tom Wilkinson (Archie who loves his mum and is a very loyal friend), John Hurt ( a odious, vicious and nasty ex jailbird with a yearning for the bad old days), Steven Dillane (Mal, a mad dog without conscience, hell bent on revenge) Joanne Whalley (The wife).In a lot of the other reviews the reviewers seem to have missed what I saw. It's about a gang of ageing friends supporting a mate who has been jilted by his wife. The principal character Ray Winston "captures" his wife's younger lover and takes him to a deserted house where the gang decide what to do with him. From there on it has a shade of "Reservoir Dogs" about it, as it all takes place within one room with a few flash backs.In my opinion the part where they are taunting the unfortunate "lover" about what he has done was hilarious - evil but so funny. The quips and interaction between the characters was superb, everyone giving stellar performances.I can't claim to be a great John Hurt fan but here gave the best performance of his career, well worth an Oscar. 44 Inch Chest [Blu-ray] [2009 ]

With a fantastic lineup of English actors (John Hurt, Ray Winston, Tom Wilkinson, Ian McShane ...) it was definitely a must see movie and with 'the main geezers giving it large' throughout, it didn't disappoint. The action is mainly set in flashback, with the present being set in one drab room where the protagonists discuss the fate of their captive.The dialogue is brilliant in revealing the individual characters and the wordplay keeps the tension high throughout.Definitely worth watching - it came across to me as being in the same league and style as the original 'Sleuth' movie.

I have seen this movie a good few times, and for me this is beautiful story telling.Well worth adding to the Library.

Just watched this on Amazon Prime. Wow what a great film. Strong cast, strong plot and very strong language. Was mesmerised all through this. You need a bit of patience to see this as its predominately set in one room and goes at a slow pace.....but totally enjoyable. Its not your typical 'revenge' movie but well worth watching. Performances from Ray Winstone, Ian McShane and John Hurt all top class.

All start cast in this one! I'm a big Ray Winson fan, but Ian McShane is excellent in this, and John Hurt is amazing.

I can't find any reference to this being a stage play but I'm sure it is. In which case it just proves stage plays directly adapted to film don't work - if it ever was a stage play to begin with. Confused. (If it was a stage play - then five stars for it in a theatre context)