The Crying Game
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Movie Reviews of The Crying Game
Movie Review: True Love Is Half-Blind
Summary: 5 Stars
THE CRYING GAME has been described as many things, and all of them probably true. Even after 15 years after its initial release, it remains writer-director Neil Jordan's insurmountable masterpiece. Not many casual moviegoers seem to know about this one, but serious film buffs hold this dramatic gem along the greatest cinematic landmarks. This film hasn't changed the landscape of moviegoing as we know it, but it's impacted the souls of those who've embarked on its journey.
And what a journey it is...one so intriguing and fascinating that longtime fans still refuse to give away its secrets. When THE CRYING GAME was marketted back in 1992, Miramax and Jordan urged audiences to not reveal the plot twists. That audiences respected their wishes is an unbelievable acheivement. The acheivement was so remarkable that even though I didn't see this film until 2003, I instantly knew that my blabbering wouldn't ruin just a few cheap shocks. No no no, to talk about THE CRYING GAME in too much detail is to deprive audiences of a legitimate emotional connection with the characters.
Let's get the plot setup out the way; if I weren't to include it, I'd be talking to myself when I want others to share my experiences. Several IRA operatives kidnap a British soldier, holding him for ransom. As Jody (the British soldier) is held captive, an IRA volunteer named Fergus reluctantly befriends his target. Basically, it's Stockholm Syndrome backwards --- rather than the victim embracing his/her captor, Fergus is eager to use the carrot rather than the stick. As things develop poorly for Jody, Fergus ends up looking for Jody's lover, Dil. From there, I will reveal no more...
The word "unpredictable" is an understatement. To call THE CRYING GAME a tale of love or loyalty does not do this film justice. This masterpiece deserves to be known as a "drama" in the truest sense. Webster's definiton is:
"A COMPOSITION IN VERSE OR PROSE INTENDED TO PORTRAY LIFE OR CHARACTER OR TO TELL A STORY USUALLY INVOLVING CONFLICTS AND EMOTIONS THROUGH ACTION AND DIALOGUE AND TYPICALLY DESIGNED FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE."
A story like THE CRYING GAME's might not be plausible in our physical world, but the triangle involving Fergus, Jody, and Dil is every bit as interesting as a romantic or spiritual connection can be. When the definition refers to "a composition in verse or", I think Neil Jordan's film is constructed in acts very similar to PSYCHO. Although we don't meet very many characters, Jordan seems to keep reinventing what they're about. The central focus or narrative is in a constant growth, which is interesting considering Fergus is almost in every shot.
Another interesting note about the verses: Jordan's selection of music is appropriate on a variety of levels. He uses "The Crying Game" in several versions, each telling a different story. Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" opens the movie, and takes on new meaning if you watch the film several times (aside from the obvious "joke"). Anne Dudley's score for the film is a jack-of-all-trades, using military drums for intensity, and classier & seductive instruments for reflection and discovery. It's a rather wonderful music soundtrack.
The verses and prose continue with unbelievable sequences of dialogue. Just listening to these characters talk is an absolute joy.
"I can't help it. It's in my nature."
When a headbagged Jody tells his captor the fable of how a scorpion betrays a frog after being helped across a pond, we relate to Fergus. We realize the visceral impact of the story, but not the cerebral effect. We react, but do not understand. THE CRYING GAME works as a tease, but each time delivers a payoff, and each payoff is an unexpected development.
I think most of this movie's fans' favorite narrative tool is Col, Dil's preferred bartender. In Dil's early scenes, instead of talking directly to Fergus across the bar, she thinks aloud to Col, which the drink-server relays Dil's comments to Fergus.
DIL: "Ask him if he likes his haircut."
COL: "She wants to know, sir, do you like your hair?"
FERGUS: "Tell her I like it fine."
And to finally on comment on THE CRYING GAME's dramatic "theatricality", the pacing is tight with its 2-hour length. The film works a variety of tones from comedy to violence, from love to hate, and from love and loss. The presentation isn't corny like an American filmmaker would've treated this subject. We believe in the story not only because of Jordan's sensibilities, but also because this story has yet to be replicated. Few screenplays command such respect from future artists.
I could go on and on about this work of genius. Thankfully, I still haven't given away anything. THE CRYING GAME's truest admirers haven't, either. And once you've watched the film, you'll come up with clever ways to entice newcomers into the fold, while struggling to keep a tight lip.
DVD EXTRAS
---This Special Edition DVD includes a making-of documentary, which includes interviews from Stephen Rea, studio execs, Neil Jordan, and even two military officers from both sides of the Northern Ireland conflict. Jaye Davison (who played Dil) is noticeably absent, but Davison has been long-removed from the spotlight, so that's not a surprise. There's also an alternate ending that the studios insisted upon. The Alternate ending isn't terrible, but Jordan's original ending is vastly superior.
Movie Review: A+++++ Acting
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish I didn't have alot of the dialogue memorized whenever I decide to rewatch "The Crying Game". That is the only drawnback. I love the performances the best, which are classic cinema to me. It's actually quite difficult to pinpoint the brilliances of each actor since they all trumped eachother with moments of brilliance in their performances. I of course love Jaye Davidson's character, I related to alot of her pain, and emotion. Miranda Richarson was the most intense and passionate and agruably maybe the best performance if I had to choose. Her character is so venomnous I want to bash her face in at some points during the movie. I always knew Forest Whitacker would go on to do more great things. Any actor that drools and spits out his mouth in almost every role is worthy of AN OSCAR!!!!!! He deserves the praise and the reward. Glad he won the oscar for "Last King Of Scotland". This is a timeless movie I can still watch every blue moon. Movie Review: Great movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this movie when it came out in 1993. Its not for everyone and is a strong "R" movie but keeps you guessing.Movie Review: The Labyrinth of the Human Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
Few films have so consistently defeated expectations, both on and off the screen, as Neil Jordan's 1992 THE CRYING GAME, a dark and darkly humorous tale of terrorism, guilt, revenge, and the vagracies of the human heart. Producers disliked the script, which they considered both uncommercial and impossible to cast. Filmed on a shoestring budget, it was expected to go nowhere fast--and then became the most talked-about film of its year, alternately fascinating and outrageing audiences and critics around the world, nominated for and winning numerous awards, and going on to become one of the top grossing films of its year.
The film is extremely difficult to discuss because to do so undermines its power for a first-time viewer. In a general sense, it concerns IRA terrorist Fergus (Stephen Rea), who is involved in the kidnapping of English solider Jody (Forrest Whittaker.) Soon Fergus finds himself pursued by the English as well as the IRA, which feels he has betrayed them; he hides himself in the crowds of London, where he is attracted to Jody's girl--the elegant Dill (Jaye Davidson.) But the more Fergus tries to avoid danger, the more it swells around him, threatening to engulf both Dill and himself.
I first saw THE CRYING GAME in its theatrical release and came to the film knowing absolutely nothing about it. It was a remarkable experience because each time I became convinced I knew what the film was about I was wrong: the story, the characters, the dialogue, the cinematography took an unexpected turn and proceeded down a completely unanticipated path. Although I was impressed, I wondered if the film would be as effective on a second or third viewing--but although the movie is filled with a host of twists, it is not superficial; it does indeed hold up to repeated viewings, for each time one sees it one becomes aware of additional nuances that one missed before.
So what, ultimately, is THE CRYING GAME about? It is an extremely difficult film to define, but in the end I think it is about the nature of love. We cannot predict who we will love, who will love us, or what the outcome of that love will be--but even though we may struggle for it or against it, love drives us with a powerful force into situations and conclusions that we may not have anticipated in our wildest dreams. THE CRYING GAME is the labyrinth of the human heart in all its glories and follies and disconcerting effects.
The collector's edition of the film comes with numerous bonuses ranging from an alternate ending to a documentary on Ireland's troubles to various "making of" features. All are worth watching; most interesting, however, is director-writer Neil Jordan's commentary, which covers many aspects of both the film and his career in general. Strongly recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Movie Review: I know the secret ... but ... What does this have to do with the story?
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie was hyped up quite a bit. What is "the secret"? Once I found out the secret, looking back I wondered what the secret had to do with the flow of the story.
Stephen Rea, who is one of the best of the best actors to portray a world weary soul, is an IRA soldier whose group has kidnapped an Englishman (Forest Whitaker). While holding him captive, Forest tells him about his girlfriend, Dil, in London. Fascinated by his story, Stephen Rea decides to travel to London to meet this woman. They end up falling for each other. However, much to his chagrin, Dil shows that she has a little something extra in the basement. Stephen didn't know, and Dil just assumed that he did already. Oops ...
The story kind of dissolved from there. Stephen finds out, but the point of the tale went away from the IRA plot and that he didn't really care if Dil was a man or a woman. He did care about him, if not in a strange way. I wondered exactly what that had to do with the IRA. It was a twist, to be sure, but it didn't have much relievance.
I give this 3 stars for the original story, Stephen Rea, and the fact that Boy George sang the theme song. Now THAT was original.