Drew's

Date Reviewed	2/19/2010
Title	44 Inch Chest
Rating
Directed By :	Malcolm Venville
Starring :	Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, Ian McShane, Joanne Whalley, Stephen Dillane and Melvil Poupaud
Review	Ray Winstone stars as Colin Diamond. He’s a tough guy and a lover that believes he’s done everything successful for his wife’s endless love in return. Like many one sided relationships, someone attempts to depart while the other is emotionally paralyzed and fueled by rage. After an incident leaves Colin shattered with puzzled wonder, his loyal crew tries to get him back on his feet with cooperated revenge. “44 Inch Chest” is the story of a lover’s bruised ego and the healing process that follows. His friends agree the way to move forward is by kidnapping his wife’s new partner for a variety of physically painful contact. John Hurt has the role as Peanut, the old fashioned set in his ways foulmouthed hard guy. He must have sworn over one hundred times with some of that actually being amusing. Ian McShane always seems to be dressed in black. As Meredith, he’s the one with more reason and logic than the others and happens to be a gay character. He’s as smooth as velvet when he delivers his lines with confident articulation. Winstone and McShane have screen experience together in the incredible and horribly titled film “Sexy Beast.” Tom Wilkinson signs on as Archie, the guy that still lives with his mother. Stephen Dillane plays Mel as a man that’s watched “Goodfellas” too many times. If you put Peanut and Mel together, they’d sound like “Terence & Philip” from South Park without the gas. Joanne Whalley’s character, Liz the heartbreaker, is only seen in flashbacks as a woman wanting to start over somewhere else. I typically enjoy dialogue driven films but this one wears thin. It’s mostly witnessing a middle aged man break down with self pity, abuse and confusion as his buddies try and persuade him to destroy the other two parties involved. They don’t blatantly alert the audience that Colin and his pals are gangsters, but they certainly dress and act the part. They resemble a British version of “Reservoir Dogs.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen a movie with well above average performances, a mediocre concept and horrible script. They did this flick on the cheap since most of it takes place inside a couple of rooms. I understand the message that love can make someone go berserk or become completely unraveled with instability during the comprehension of rejection, abandonment and loss. I’ve often thought about why a jilted lover would go after the other person since their partner made the decision to commit adultery. This picture doesn’t even reveal if the other party knew she was married. “44 Inch Chest” becomes increasingly agitating even though tension is lightened through his motley bunch sharing laughs and stories. This is one dumping where we should all just make other plans. Drew's Reviews, copyright 2010, Drewsmoviereviews.com, property of Drew Bean.