Review: 44 INCH CHEST

One of the first things to pop into my mind when I first heard about 44 INCH CHEST was �What an interesting title? I wonder where it came from?� Maybe it refers to a measurement, or maybe it�s something entirely abstract. To be honest, after seeing the movie I still couldn�t tell you the meaning for sure, if there even is a meaning. However, what I can tell you is that 44 INCH CHEST is a film that drew me in, wrapped its sharply written dialogue and it�s enigmatic story around my brain for 95 minutes of cinematic excellence.

Written by Louis Mellis and David Scinto, who previously gave us the British gangster film SEXY BEAST, and directed by Malcolm Venville in his feature film debut, 44 INCH CHEST hits audience heads with a hammer of hardcore dialogue. The fast-paced, sharp-tongued conversations that dominate this film are reminiscent of David Mamet, if he had written RESERVOIR DOGS.

Ray Winstone (SEXY BEAST, THE PROPOSITION) plays Colin Diamond, a rough-handed gangster struggling to cope with the revelation that his long-time wife has not only cheated on him, but is leaving him for another man. Perplexed and driven in and out of psychotic states of remorse, anger and confusion, Colin holds up in an old abandoned row house with four friends and fellow gangsters as they determine what they plan to do about this grave insult against Colin.

This rag-tag group of aging gangster relics is a sight for sore eyes. That is, if you enjoy fine acting. Stephen Dillane (NINE LIVES, THE HOURS) plays the youngest-looking of the bunch named Mal, who also happens to be the least personally affected by the disgrace. Tom Wilkinson (ROCKNROLLA, MICHAEL CLAYTON) plays Archie, who appears to be the man in charge. With that said, Ian McShane (DEATH RACE, DEADWOOD) plays the well-dressed and very well spoken homosexual gangster Meredith, who happens to be the one most in control when necessary. Finally, John Hurt (V FOR VENDETTA, HELLBOY) plays Old Man Peanut, the eldest and most foul-mouthed of the criminal lot.

44 INCH CHEST is not your typical gangster flick. This is a dialogue driven film, with a plot more closely resembling SUICIDE KINGS meet THE SOPRANOS than GOODFELLAS or THE GODFATHER. There are two primary elements to the progression of the story, all of which revolves around the ultimate decision of whether to engage in seeking vengeance and if so, how best to deliver that vengeance. The heart of what makes the story interesting however, is the journey in getting to that decision.

Winstone�s performance as the muscle-headed gangster Colin, most likely best known for his ability to �convince� a man to spill his beans, reveals a complex and dizzying display of human emotions as Colin�s mind does figure-eights and loopty-loops around itself in an attempt to make sense of his wife�s transgression. Manic-depressive, loaded on acid or roid-raging, Colin resembles the very worst of all three conditions before finally coming to an epiphany.

Meanwhile, Colin�s posse of partners engages in conversations, debates and philosophical ramblings that range from hilarious to reflective. The chemistry present between these four fine actors is worth its weight in gold. The banter that develops between Meredith and Old Man Peanut is priceless, while Archie and Mal provide the straight-man side of this four-way comedic coin.

The humor of 44 INCH CHEST isn�t overdrawn or wasted on petty jokes, but ingeniously evolves along with the story progresses. This is enhanced by the marvelous editing from Rick Russell, also making his feature film debut, which is particularly evident in a lengthy scene in which the four gangsters embark on a verbal lambasting of their captive adulterer. Each of the men�s dialogue is restricted to the most blunt, offensive and unenlightened of remarks but the scene is cut in such a way as to make this one of the most intriguing and artistically humorous portions of the film.

Rounding out the plethora of reasons 44 INCH CHEST is among the earliest of must-see indie films for 2010 is the score by Angelo Badalamenti. Having worked extensively with David Lynch, and effectively evoking a fantastically visual score for Jeunet and Caro on THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, Badalamenti again creates a wonderfully moody and appropriate layer of musical texture within which the suspense of the story can gestate.

Overall, 44 INCH CHEST is a welcome and satisfying film to chew on; and chew on this film you will as you digest this beef jerky bit of semi-cerebral cinema. It very well may fall within the sleeper-hit category of 2010, but I encourage anyone who enjoyed SEXY BEAST or REVOLVER to seek this film out.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars