Michael Lynch is Dublin's most notorious criminal, his brazen robberies making him the bane of the Gardaà and a hero to his fellow working class city Northsiders. When not playing happy families with his two wives - sisters Christine and Lisa - and his children, Lynch is busy plotting elaborate heists, thinking as much about the showmanship of it all as he is the loot involved. On his case is Garda Noel Quigley, his determination to convict Lynch slowly turning into an obsession. Inevitably, a showdown looms. Written by
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Darren O'Shaughnessy (darren shan) from Limerick, Ireland
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Based on the real-life figure of Dublin gangster Martin Cahill (his story was also told in THE GENERAL, released in 1998), this fast-moving crime flick has little new to offer, but is worth a look for fans of the genre. Writer Gerard Stembridge takes the main facts of Cahill's life and gives them a slight spin (most especially the latter stages) to create an interesting mix of fantasy and reality. It's not as good as THE GENERAL; Spacey and Fiorentino struggle with their accents; and the finale is a bit much for us to swallow. But, for all its flaws, it's a lively and amusing piece, if destined forever to fall in the shadow of its more illustrious fore-runner.
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gradyharp from United States
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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
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mickey doyle (mickeydoyle@hotmail.com) from South Down. Ireland
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The film itself is a bit of a laugh. The part where Stevie laments over his poverty stricken child hood is hilarious. Fair enough the foreign actors such as Spacey's and Baxendale's accent are useless but sure at the end of the day its no big deal. The Gardai Siochanna are also a wild laugh with them following Spacey about through Dublin giving him plenty of stick. This film can't be taken seriously and was never intended to be. If you wanted the true story about Michael Cahill, go and watch 'the General' if you want to see a crowd of cowboys rampaging through Dublin making a mockery of the Gardai Siochanna then watch this film. All in all a good laugh but not one for 'serious viewers'.
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tomimt from Finland
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Who doesn't like witty, lovable criminals, who out wit every copper and other rival criminals in a heartbeat? That's a crime movie genre, which actually appeals to me: smart dialogs, funny action and so on.
So, in "Ordinary Decent Criminal" we have one of the greatest living actors, Kevin Spacey, who is playing Irish mobster named Michael Lynch, and he's just such a fellow I described. There's also Colin Farrell in a small role as one of the thugs in Michael's gang. Actually rather good acting all around from all of the actors and that's the only reason this movie stays afloat, because the script is not that funny as it tries to be.
Sure, it has couple of good laughs in it, but most of the jokes feel little forced.
Direction is pretty decent, not worst thing ever directed, but certainly not the greatest crime movie either.
Good for couple of laughs.
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Travis_Bickle01
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Very amusing crime comedy with Kevin Spacey as the star of the show. We already knew that Spacey is capable of playing any role and also in this movie he truly delivers. Kevin Spacey is Michael Lynch, an ordinary decent criminal who loves playing some games with the cops. I think you can compare him to Thomas Crown (performed by Steve McQueen in 1968 and by Pierce Brosnan in the remake 31 years later). A criminal, a gentleman and womaniser in one person.
Kevin Spacey was excellently casted as the male lead. Furthermore we see Linda Fiorentino as Lynch's wife, Peter Mullan ("My Name Is Joe") as Spacey's right hand and a very small part for Colin Farrell. The story is very well written and it contains a lot of twist. A must see for a Saturday night. Not a deep or difficult story, just fine Saturday night entertainment.
Recommendable! 7,5/10
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Anthony Dunn from Denver, Colorado
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Ordinary Decent Criminal has just been released on video out here in the States and I was saddend to see that Hollywood's influence has sucked the orginality out of Irish filmakers. I was ready to sit down and watch one of my favorite actor's, Kevin Spacey, in this movie, when 10 mins into the film I realized I was watching a bloody remake of "The General", which starred Jon Voight and Breandon Gleeason. At first it was hard to swallow the Irish accents, but I got used to it. I stayed with the movie noticing differnt changes from the other great movie,The General, but I was pleasantly surpised that the movie turned out to be really good. Of course I felt that Linda Fiorentino was totally wasted in the part of Spacey's wife, and poor Collin Farrell, if he was in the movie more than 5 mintues that would be something. Overall I'd say the film was watchable. Spacey is good and there are soild peformaces from the rest of the irish cast. If you haven't seen "The General" I suggest you see that film, then watch this fim just to enjoy Spacey doing what he does best, ACTING.
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morrison-dylan-fan from United Kingdom
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After having heard that this was a good film from a friend of mine years ago.I have at last rented it,and while it got swept-under by the fantastic American Beauty,this is still a very good Irish/English film. The Plot:
Michael Lynch(Kevin"K-Pax"Spacy)is someone who cares about his wife and kids,but he also leads another life as a leader of a gang(that includes a pre-fame Colin Farrel!)The gang are constantly getting followed by police who want to catch them doing the crimes,due to the media outlets making Michael look like a modern-day "Robin Hood!",so Michael decides to pull off the "ultumate" crime-that is to steel some very valuable works of art.But with Micales addiction to the lime-light,and with the police catching up,the crime is sure to end in bloodshed. View on the film:
While the accent's in the film do make it a bit tough to fully get sucked into the film(due to knowing how the actors "really" sound.)They are able to still keep you interested in the film.Spacy gives a very good and interesting performance in that,unlike Spacys character in American Beauty,Spacy has a self-confidence and determination thats unlike most of his performances. Final view on the film.
A very enjoyable English/Irish film,with a very good performance by Spacy.
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jason_13 from Bulgaria
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Kevin Spacey is without a doubt one of the best actors of the 90s. After his performances in The Usual Suspect, Se7en and American Beauty, you expect more and more from him. That is why Ordinary Decent Criminal is a huge disappointment.
Michael Lynch is the most artful criminal in Dublin who is never in a bad mood. His next heist becomes an obsession when his partners start questioning Michael's ability to plan everything perfectly, although this is the only thing he does when he isn't playing good father at home.
I guess, it's partly my fault for not paying enough attention to the thousand plot details which sadly turn out to be the "essence" of the film. I gave the movie a chance by calling it a parody and.... well, parodies are always funny, no matter what they spoof or how they do it. So, it wasn't after all a complete parody on purpose. It's just a different con movie that desperately tries to be funny and fails.
Unlike some of his "colleagues", Ordinary Decent Criminal depends too much on story development and logical continuity, forgetting what's the main reason, the viewer has picked this kind of movie - to be entertained. This is definitely not entertainment. It includes one of the most ridiculous scenes ever - the introduction of Michael's TWO wives. I don't know whether it's some kind of a mindless metaphor or strange, dark humor, but the chicks are sisters. Remember, Spacey's character has kids.
Ordinary Decent Criminal is complex and confusing. You are not waiting for a funny scene. Instead, you carefully follow the dialog, because there is a big possibility of losing yourself into the boring, pale universe, the film has inhabited.
Let's go back to Spacey. I wonder in what condition he has been, signing for that movie. It's not miscasting, but something much worse. An insult to his work in American Beauty, released an year before Ordinary Decent Criminal. The character Michael is eccentric and talkative. Spacey is almost pathetic at times. The only cure for this, is thinking of Lester Burnham and Roger Kint.
Writer, Gerrard Stembridge should definitely re-consider his screen writing abilities and be more objective this time. Because, the dialog is very weak and the scenes are often pointless. And we are still talking about a comedy.
Ordinary Decent Criminal is a really bad crime comedy which does not deserve your attention.
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John Taylor (jdtaylor@btinternet.com) from Bedfordshire, England
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Ordinary decent Criminal is an above average irish cops v robbers story about a charming criminal played by Kevin spacey who masterminds robbery's and who is always one step ahead of the Police. I'm not sure why Kevin Spacey took the lead role in this film, it is certainly no Usual Suspects but it does have the slight feel of it. You cant help but like Spacey's character, he is an Irishman who dislikes the church and the IRA and that is a breath of fresh air for feature film made in the republic. While this film is very watchable you cant help feel it is a little like a feature length version of an episode of Minder. 7 out of 10
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Thomas Schmitz (Tom_Smith) from Germany
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The German regional-broadcast-station WDR has shown both "The General" and ODC. On Saturday I've seen "The General" and I thought, it wasn't very bad, but not very good too. But yesterday I've seen ODC and I switched it off after about an hour. Although Kevin Spacey was the main actor the movie was totally confusing and seems restless. "The General" told the story straight and ordered, but ODC just wanted to be cool. There is a reference on the Guy Ritchie Movies "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch", but doesn't have the Coolness of these movies.
So, in the end I would rate it 3 of 10!
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AKAs Titles:
Certifications:
Argentina:16 / Australia:MA15+ / Finland:K-15 / France:U / Germany:16 / Iceland:14 / Iceland:16 (video rating) / Netherlands:16 / New Zealand:R13 / South Korea:15 / Spain:7 / UK:15 / USA:R
Movie Details:
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