Ordinary Decent Criminal

Based, for the most part, on the same real-life character who inspired John Boorman's "The General", "Ordinary Decent Criminal" suffers in comparison but while it's far from being a great film it's a reasonably enjoyable one nevertheless with a highly unlikely Kevin Spacey cast as Ireland's master criminal and number one gangster 'Michael Taylor''. We're not talking Spacey the double Oscar winner here but Spacey the actor prepared to take on any role and run with it and he seems to be laughing up his sleeve with us or perhaps just at us.

That fine and yet largely unknown Irish director Thaddeus O'Sullivan helmed the picture from a good screenplay by Gerard Stembridge and he's assembled a first-rate cast that also includes Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, StephenDillane, Helen Baxendale, David Hayman and Patrick Malahide as well as Colin Farrell and Christoph Waltz early in their careers.

The tone is largely comic though the material is fundamentally serious and today the film feels a bit like a fish out of water; you might even say it's all a bit tasteless given the state of Irish 'gangsterism' in the last decade but if it's closer to "Father Ted" than "The General" maybe it's not such a bad thing. A little too broad at times but somehow it call comes right at the end.

On the wings of the Sopranos era concept 'crime is a business as any other', here comes the Irish version. The problem is that it lies entirely on the shoulders of Oscar-touched Kevin Stacey. It tries to be a very Irish film, with human and enjoyable gangsters, the cops are the villain, and the victims never really show up. The charm relies entirely on Kevin Stacey's performance, though some other good acting can be seen around - for example Linda Fiorentino who gets too little screen time, in my opinion, and some other supporting actors who must be Irish or British because they are both good, as well as fresh faces. However, acting only cannot save the movie, it is after all easy to forget, and certainly cannot provide the answer to the key question - can ordinary decent criminals really be ordinary decent humans?

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

I stumbled across this movie and watched it without preconceptions or expectations. Unlike many of your reviewers I enjoyed it hugely. But then, I haven't seen "The General". So whether comparison with that film is fair or not, I couldn't say.

But what none of your reviewers have pointed to is its structural resemblance to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". ODC is not as original as that wonderful film, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it doesn't do a bad job in terms of wit or entertainment.

Spacey's casting is a bit bizarre, but works because of that and his geniality lifts the movie. Only Patrick Malahide takes character truly into the realms of caricature.

Overall ODC is an engaging and enjoyable romp of a film with some nice twists and plenty to enjoy in an undemanding sort of way.

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