Ordinary Decent Criminal
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Movie Reviews of Ordinary Decent Criminal
Movie Review: ordinary decent criminal
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a good movie for Kevin Spacey fans (like me). It's different, funny and one to pay attention to or you'll get lost in the fast shuffle. My only skeptisism is I don't believe it was Kevin Spacey doing the "mooning". The legs were too skinny. Mr. Spacey has been in more than one movie wearing shorts, and his legs didn't look skinny. Yes we fans take notice, specially as Mr. Spacey is such a chameleon.(I am 76 and and still enjoy an awsome actor) Don't miss this one.Movie Review: Enjoyable Kevin Spacey Vehicle
Summary: 4 Stars
Ordinary Decent Criminal (shot in the U.K., Germany and Ireland) was a fairly loose and thinly veiled adaptation of the John Boormans critically acclaimed book, The General.
The General, told the story of real-life Irish criminal, Martin Cahill, who spent most of his days robbing the rich (with his philosphy being "they can afford it so why shouldn't I), laughably antagonising the police and on several occasions, falling foul of the IRA.
In a perfect piece of casting, Kevin Spacy takes on the role of the initial Cahill characterization and is re-named Michael Lynch in the film.
Kevin Spacy puts in a solid, power-packed, beleavable performance. He approaches his role in a number of ways and is vastly effective as the cocky but equally likeable Dublin gangster, playing it as though a loveable rogue in contrast to the real Cahill. His Irish accent is a little dodgy at times but apart from that minor flaw, Spacy excels in the role.
Directed by Thaddeus O' Sullivan with the screenplay having been written by Gerald Sternbridge, Ordinary Decent Criminal was considerably well-structured despite the lack of true detail to which the main character was based. The film follows Michael Lynch's many crime sprees (do not want to give too much away there) and makes for highly entertaining viewing. If anything the film seemed more inspired by The General, rather than structuring it around the ethos of Boormans book. Still the film vastly works despite that initial shortcoming.
Linda Florentino takes the role of Michael Lynch's wife, Christine. His loyal almost fierce devotion to his family is made crystal clear from the early sequences in the film.
British T.V star, Helen Baxendale (a one-time star on the fantastic U.S sitcom Friends and and one of the principal leads in the smash-hit U.K comedy-drama series, Colf Feet) turns up as as Lisa (who surprisingly delivers a beleavable Irish accent) and bubbles in the background as Lisa. where as Peter Mullan as Steve and Stephen Dillane as Noel Quigley get their chance to shine, biting into their parts with a vengeance and making the most of every scene they're in.
Ordinary Decent Criminal (1999) hosts many moments of generally amusing comedy (such as when Spacy hilariously falshes his naked rear end to some irritatingly condesending policemen) whilst there are a host of impressive action scenes, particulary the exciting climax of the film.
Kevin Spacy and the rest of the cast liven this film up no end and Thaddeus O' Sullivans direction is tight and sharp, matching the fast, overly witty and earthy dialogue.
Movie Review: Firmly Tongue-In-Cheek
Summary: 4 Stars
Thaddeus O'Sullivan who directed the Irish troubles movie "Nothing Personal," "December Bride" & has "Shadow Chaser" with Samuel L. Jackson coming out next year guides "Ordinary Decent Criminal" with a light hand. While the most memorable scene may be Kevin Spacey mooning the police, it would also be correct to say that O'Sullivan keeps the tone firmly "tongue in cheek." This gangster film is a light romp filled with more witty banter than gunfire. Spacey does an excellent job as the criminal iconoclast Michael Lynch who probably is smart enough to hold a regular job, but is just too original to put up with it. He is married to Christine played by Linda Fiorentino. She doesn't have a lot to do in the film, but she does love art and draws Lynch into the love of a particular Caravaggio. Helen Boxendale who was on a number of "Friends" episodes plays sister "Lisa" who also is kind of "married" to Lynch. They have their separate households and the sisters get along perfectly well sharing their man. The gag culminates when the police think they've killed Lynch whose face has been blown off by bullets. As they un-drape the corpse and reveal his private parts, knowing glances between the sisters let them know that it's not Lynch. Peter Mullan who won a Best Actor award at Cannes for "My Name Is Joe" plays Stevie. Stephen Dillane plays the Detective Sergeant Quigley who seems to routinely get stumped by Lynch. Dillane became a favorite actor of mine in a romantic film called "Firelight." Last but not least is the role of Alex played by Colin Farrell. In what was his 2nd film before "Tigerland" broke him as a Hollywood commodity, he does a decent job with few lines of trying to rip off the painting. His Irish pronunciation of "shoite" slips off the tongue with ease. I enjoyed this film's face pace and wild spree. It's a delightful evening's entertainment! Enjoy!Movie Review: Robbers and Cops
Summary: 4 Stars
Robbers and Cops, September 5, 2005Reviewer: Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL has to be one of the more tongue-in-cheek titles Hollywood has devised for a story apparently based on a real life infamous Irish gangster Martin Cahill whose claim to fame was robbing banks and getting away with it while posing as a preceptor of family values! Yet in this reincarnation the plot is suffused with comedy and typical capers and served up by a fine cast on a shaky platform.
Michael Lynch (Kevin Spacey, always terrific to watch even in uneven films) is a 'gentleman robber', married to two sisters (Linda Fiorentino and Helen Baxendale) whose latest criminal diversion involves the theft of a Caravaggio painting. How he utilizes his cohorts and evades the police headed by Noel Quigley (the extraordinarily gifted actor Stephen Dillane who played Stephen Woolf in 'The Hours'). The cast is good and makes the best of a confusing arc of storyline written by Gerard Stembridge. Director Thaddeus O'Sullivan keeps things moving along but slides into some boring and non-additive variances from the plot and character development that threaten to grind down the film. Tack on a corny ending not in keeping with the real character on whose life the story is based and the recipe for lack of success in the theaters is obvious.
But keep the expectations low and this film will entertain. Sad that for its distribution in the USA the cover of the DVD lists Colin Farrell as one of the stars (Spacey, Fiorentino, Farrell) which says a lot about PR grossness: Farrell is a VERY minor extra here and should any other actor be listed in top billing it is Stephen Dillane! Not a great heist film but it's always good to see more of Spacey. Grady Harp, September 05
Movie Review: Likeable crime caper
Summary: 4 Stars
Ordinary Decent Criminal was loosley adapted from John Boormans critically acclaimed, The General which told the story of real-life Irish criminal Martin Cahill. In a perfect piece of casting, Kevin Spacey plays Cahill (though is renamed Michael Lynch in the movie), a cocky but likeable Dublin gangster who spent his days robbing the rich, annoying the police and falling foul of the IRA. Spacey puts in a power-packed, beleavable performance though he plays the role as a loveable rogue in contrast to the real Martin Cahill. His Irish accent is a little dodgy at times but makes up for it with his performance. The film is well structured featuring moments of comedy, undertones of gritty realism and plenty of impressive action scenes that makes this well worth a look. Given Spacy amicable support is British T.V actress Helen Baxendale as Lisa in a small but effective role. Recommended.