The Crying Game

Directed by Neil Jordan. Starring Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Miranda Richardson, Forest Whitaker, Jim Broadbent, Adrian Dunbar, Ralph Brown, Tony Slattery. (R)

A group of IRA members, including volunteer Rea, kidnap a British soldier (Whitaker); later, Rea visits the soldier's girlfriend (Davidson) in London and becomes involved in a most unusual relationship with her. Stunning blend of thriller and romance explores daring subject matter in consistently fascinating ways, creating a story that is so full of surprises (many more than just the much ballyhooed "twist") that its very genre changes multiple times. Most serpentine suspensers are built purely on their own mechanism, but this one goes one step further by actually making the audience care about and identify with the original, layered characters. Davidson, an amateur "discovered" by a casting agent, gives a terrific debut performance, matched by a fine group of co-stars, some of whom have never been better. Director Jordan's Oscar-winning script, however, is the true star, and a very rare bird indeed for a movie that became famous for its shocking surprise: knowing the secret in advance doesn't spoil any of the pleasures of watching the plot unfold, and the writing never cheats or unnaturally deceives the audience for the sake of a cheap jolt at the moment the rug is pulled.

91/100

This movie is not the average, run of the mill suspense film. It is well acted, with a solid script and very human side to the plot. Jaye Davidson launched a nice career with this surprise. In the end, Crying Game does not take the easy way out and cheat the audience. Neil Jordan made some excellent artistic choices. I am genuinely sorry I missed this film in the theatres and I am pleased I rectified this oversight.

This is a great movie. While "the scene" achieved great notoriety and some think that's all the movie is about, it's really about so much more. The desperation of the Irish to achieve freedom from England is very much on display here. Like other ancient feuds around the globe, the passion on both sides is evident in their willingness to do just about anything to advance their cause(s). It's also a powerful, if strange, story of human love. Complicated, deeply felt, real love. The kind that would make you sacrifice virtually everything to prevent the one you love from suffering pain. Excellent acting makes this a worthwhile investment of time. A film to remember and cherish.

This is one of those rare movies that comes along and achieves something outrageous, heartwarming, and unique.The cast is above compare and the storyline has nothing to do with what the movie is actually about. If you are a lover of movies or just feel like seeing something different rent this one.It is a must see for anyone and I cannot believe it is not on the top 250 list.It's that good!

This wonderful movie is even better on the repeat viewing after the secret was out because you'd pay more attention to the smallest details and enjoy the brilliant storytelling and acting by everyone. Besides Rea, Whitaker, and Miranda Richardson, I'd like to mention Jim Broadbent as a sympathetic bartender Col. For me, though, the absolutely stunning, one of the very best debuts in the movie history was Jaye Davidson who had no movie experience. You know, there are not many characters that I keep thinking about after the movie is over - where did they come from, how their life would turn after the final credits, how would this cruel world treat them, would they be happy? And I want them to be happy. Dil (Davidson) is one of them - what a marvelous creature, how vulnerable yet dignified she is, what a combination of dry remote coolness and quiet tenderness. No wonder, Fergus (Rea) (as Whitaker's Jody before him) fell under her spell even after he found out that nothing is what it seems. Great movie - makes you think, makes you feel, makes you talk about it, makes you want to see it again.

9.5/10