Ordinary Decent Criminal

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.

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

Entertaining enough as far as it goes, though that isn't very far. The crime vignettes are highly amusing, but the over-arching plot - the story of Lynch being sold-out to the IRA by his own team - lacks development and is much too conveniently resolved in a climax that relies on coincidence. However Spacey, as always, is a joy to watch. He's a fine actor, and he does convince - the occasional accent lapse notwithstanding.

This is a charming, rollicking yarn, full of mischievous criminal acts perpetrated by Spacey and his cronies. It's light, frothy, and doesn't develop much suspense or real drama, and ultimately is a pointless exercise in movie making.

Spacey is OK, Linda Fiorentino is wooden (perhaps concentrating too much on trying to master the lyrical cadences of the Irish accent - she fails!). Helen Baxendale is simperingly gorgeous as usual, but she too fails to get as close to the accent as Spacey. The supporting cast of British and Irish actors are wonderful, and there are some delightful cameos.

Sadly, Patrick Malahide is wasted, his character being painted with a broad and parodied brush.

Boorman's "The General" covered the same subject matter much more expertly, but without the benefit of a Hollywood "A-list" actor to kick it along.

I'm still wondering what possessed Kevin Spacey, who is a fine actor, to get involved in this movie.

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.