44 Inch Chest

Colin(Ray Winstone),an ordinary bloke, comes home from work to be confronted by his wife, Liz(Joanne Whalley), that she's leaving him for another man. Colin is devestated. He lays on the floor in a drunken stupor amongst the rubble that is left in the wake of the aftermath of Liz's announcement. Colin's mates upon hearing the news go into action. They kidnap Liz's loverboy take him to a furnished warehouse, bind and gag him and stuff him in a wardrobe. They leave Colin alone with the interloper and tell him to do what he will. Colin's actions come as something of a surprise but, then, they really shouldn't. The makers of the film make some pretty cogent observations about love, betrayal, and the male ego. Colin's friends are basically working class but are across the spectrum as personality types none more amusing as the blunt old coot played by John Hurt. This is Winstone's show, though, and he is terrific as a man barely holding together ready to explode. It's not a perfect film but quite an interesting one. The film's title, for those who are curious, refers to a chest of drawers containing the remnants of Colin and Liz's marriage and not the size of a woman or man's bosom.

This film is about Colin Diamond (Ray Winstone), who is informed by his wife of twenty-one years, Liz (Joanne Whalley), that she has "met someone else." She's not talking about a new manicurist who really understands her nails. This news hits Colin where it hurts.Colin doesn't take it like he's supposed to, according to society's laws. That is, he doesn't decide to just move on and sigh "C'est la vie." He beats her severely and she ends up having to jump through a glass door and crawl away to escape.Turns out Colin has some rough and ready friends who kidnap Liz's lover, assault him, and lock him in a wardrobe. These are men who are fiercely loyal to Colin and seem to be willing/eager to kill Liz's lover if Colin so desires. The implication is that they are aging gangsters who go way back together. They conduct a mock trial of "Loverboy" in what appears to be an abandoned building located in a dark and seedy part of London.Throughout, the "trial" is mixed with fantasies and flashbacks. There's a bit about Colin's anguished dreams. The acting is solid, with John Hurt giving a great interpretation of the Samson and Delilah story. But there's just too much profane chatter. The sets are too stark and lifeless. Yet, primarily due to the sterling cast, the film takes on a very heavy theme and comes off fairly well.

I know that there is a niche fandom for this film and it's certainly not for everyone, but I have to say - from one fan to another - you must have the rich quality of the Blu-ray in order to truly appreciate this masterpiece.Definitely recommend!!!

Good, slow study of the choices that a man who sees himself as a "tough guy" must make, having been reduced to a weeping puddle by his unfaithful wife. Still thinking about this one. A lot going on, on a lot of levels. Drags some during the handful of hallucination scenes, but those are over pretty quickly. Ray Winstone does a great job. Solid, magnetic actor, pathetic and threatening all at the same time. This must have been based on a play. It has that introspection about it. Heads up though: turn on the subtitles for this one.

Not bad, not amazing, Ray Winstone and many others...Hey, he is sexy, all you know it too...Yeah, you buddy over there acting tough, you just thought of him in the yellow speedo...I know you did....Good movie, though. A good​ way to pass the time on a down night.

A way too frequently overlooked gangster film with a touch of something more. I can understand why it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea; if you were to go in expecting Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, or Gangster No. 1, you are going to be more than a little disappointed. But if you want something more rounded that will surprise you, this is the movie for you.

Bought this dvd after watching Ray Winstone's live interview, recommending the film. As I love this actor's work I ordered the dvd {& "Sexy Beast"}. What a complete waste of an hour and a half!!! The entire film centres around his character's feelings at being betrayed by his wife who has fallen for another man. The film depicts just 24 hours over the length of the film BUT could easily have been written and filmed in just 10 minutes flat. Added to the foul language [effing and worse at almost every other word, and I'm no prude] the film jumps about within it's 24 hour period plus it has fantasy scenes which render the viewer totally confused and wondering why they bothered! I would not recommend it to ANYONE - quite the reverse! Boring boring boring........zzzzzzzzzzzz

Good movie , could have been better

If I could rate this movie lower I would rate it negative 4 Stars. I bought this movie because I like interesting movies, I liked Sexy Beast (another movie by the same director and similar cast) and it had a great cast. I didn’t see anything redeeming about this movie unless you like seeing a bunch of old men sitting around swearing and use the “C” word over and over. Avoid this movie and look elsewhere for entertainment. Watching paint dry or watching grass grow (in winter) would be more entertaining.I feel bad giving such a bad review. I love the cast but it’s a POS and I feel obligated to warn you.

Region lock on Blu Ray, unable to watch

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.

To me this was as bad as "Sexy Beast" unsuprisingly both from the same stable.Well known performers wasted in a confusing and disappointing production.Ray Winstone is worth more than this.

I wonder if they wrote this before "Sexy Beast" - when they were trying to cut their teeth as writers. I say this because whereas I could see the influence of Pinter, Mamet, Albee etc poetically and superbly realised in "Sexy Beast" this film was self-indulgent to say the least; great actors enjoying the words with relish but all of it adding up to an esoteric exercise in drama school.