La moglie del soldato

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

From a philosophical viewpoint, this movie illustrates unconditional love, which is not that prevalent in our present world. We could all learn some things from this movie, if we chose to do so.

I regret that I am only ten (10) years behind in seeing and understanding this work.

The entire cast and crew were excellent in their work and the writer deserves tremendous credit for such insight and understanding of the degree of heart and soul which can and does exist in some people.

I would recommend it to anyone who is attempting to understand humanity and some of the trials and tribulations it puts itself through.

It is classified as a "teaching movie" specializing in unconditional love, or "fiction with a definite positive purpose". Beautiful work.

Truly fantastic movie. Neil Jordan's apparent tale of an IRA terrorist who becomes involved in the life of one of his captives explores so much beyond the plot – issues of identity, belief, and yes, even love. The performances are brilliant from every cast member, especially so for Miranda Richardson, Stephen Rea, and the incomparable Jaye Davidson. Even if you know the secret, you'll still probably be captivated by this film. A triumph for Jordan one of the best movies of the 1990s.

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.

The less you know about this film, the better. I won't tell you anything except what a well-written and well-acted movie this is. from the first 15 minutes, which is mainly dialogue between two actors, you are completely drawn in to the film, which has almost dream-like qualities.

If you were planning to see it just because of the "twist" and to see what everyone was talking about, then see it. If you were planning to see it for the amazing script, acting and direction - see it. And if you were planning on not seeing it - see it