44 Inch Chest on DVD now

44 Inch Chest follows Colin Diamond (Winston) trying to come to terms with his wife, Liz (Whalley) leaving him. Well that’s the film in its simplest version, in this film Colin’s quest for revenge and justice is aided by his gang of friends who kidnap the man Liz is having an affair with and let Colin decide his fate.

Ok, it’s a sterling cast, and on paper there isn’t a weak link amongst them, which is why I feel disappointed that the film didn’t deliver for me. Noyce has chosen to present the film as if it is a stage play, depending on the strengths of the actors alone, this would be ok but theres something not quite right about the script, it doesn’t flow smoothly its too ‘staged’ not like conversation – not even like movie conversations. The film is riddled with swearing – and believe me Im not a prude when it comes to bad language  - I rate Goodfellas as one of my all time favourite movies, but hear it just doesn’t sound right. Its not like a lot of gangsters talking its more like a bunch of 10 year olds having a conversation where they fit in as much swearing as humanly possible – it just doesn’t flow.

I also thought that there was a lack tension in the film which is at odds with the films content. Surely the tension is supposed to be constantly cranked up as Colin builds up to his decision, egged on by his friends. I found myself not caring for any of the characters, except for maybe the unnamed ‘loverboy’ who does nothing except sit on a chair and look rather pathetic for most of the film.  Overall it’s a weird film, for me it didn’t flow at all, although I did find the approach interesting but it reality it fell somewhat short of the mark.

Director: Phillip Noyce
Cast:
Ray Winstone           Colin Diamond
Ian McShane             Meredith
John Hurt                   Old Man Peanut
Tom Wilkinson          Archie
Stephen Dillane        Mal
Joanne Whalley        Liz Diamond