Product Details

• Actors: Kevin Spacey, Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, Stephen Dillane, Helen Baxendale
• Directors: Thaddeus O'Sullivan
• Writers: Gerard Stembridge
• Producers: Christine Ruppert, James Mitchell, Jonathan Cavendish, Margaret Moggan, Martha O'Neill
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000077VRZ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,197 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Art House & International > European Cinema > Ireland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
To the disappointment of Kevin Spacey fans, Miramax never released Ordinary Decent Criminal in the U.S. That has more to do with backstage negotiations than with the quality of this amusing Irish crime caper, which was overshadowed by John Boorman's similar and superior film The General. Both were inspired by the exploits of infamous Irish gangster Martin Cahill, fictionalized here as Michael Lynch (Spacey, with a passable brogue), an elusive bank robber who prides himself on family values and clever escapes. His latest brazen scheme involves the theft of a priceless Caravaggio painting, but director Thaddeus O'Sullivan (who made the underrated Nothing Personal) is more interested in quirky character study than criminal behavior, giving the film its jaunty, uneven mix of humor, drama, and violence. The casting of Spacey and Linda Fiorentino (as Lynch's supportive wife) is an awkward concession to international box office, but the movie's Irish flavor--including a pre-stardom role for Colin Farrell--is enough to keep its cagey spirits high. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description
Academy Award(R)-winner Kevin Spacey (Best Actor, 1999, AMERICAN BEAUTY) leads an all-star cast in this fast, fun, and suspenseful story of a clever crime boss and the lost art of the heist! Michael Lynch (Spacey) is Dublin's most notorious criminal, known for brazen robberies that perplex the police and inspire his fellow working-class Northsiders. When he's not playing family man with his children and two wives -- sisters Christine (Linda Fiorentino -- MEN IN BLACK) and Lisa (Helen Baxendale) -- Lynch is busy plotting elaborate larcenies that are as much about style and showmanship as the loot involved! But when the one cop (Stephen Dillane -- SPY GAME) sharp enough to catch Lynch gets on his case, our fun-loving criminal gets a run for his money! Also featuring Colin Farrell (MINOTIRY REPORT) as Lynch's loyal sidekick -- you're sure to get your money's worth from his highly original and endlessly entertaining movie treat!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just a head's up . . ., February 19, 2003

By	Lottie (New England USA) - See all my reviews

. . .more than a review. This is a good movie. To me, Kevin Spacey opens a film. His performances make even a mediocre film worth watching (and owning on DVD). The story is good, and not everything can be another "Se7en" or "American Beauty." Nevertheless, if you are a Spacey fan, check it out.

But my real reason for posting a review was to give the head's up to any Colin Farrell fans out there . . . he's been getting a following lately, and the DVD tries to jump on that by putting him on its cover. If that entices you to pick it up as you are fresh from seeing his stellar performance in "The Recruit" or want more of his hometown accent that was offered as Bullseye, you will be sorely displeased. Mr. Farrell has no more than 5 lines in the film.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT, September 13, 2003

By	M. R. ZOGLIO (CROFTON, MD) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Before I get started here, let me just point out to some of the other reviewers that this is a work of fiction "based on (not recreating) a true story" and that Kevin Spacey played Michael (not David) Lynch. That said, I was happy to find this little gem last night and surprised that I'd never heard of it. With a cast that includes Spacey, Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, and Colin Farrell to go along with the beautiful Irish scenery, this movie tells it's quirky little tale in just 94 minutes. Short, sweet, and to the point. It's a shame that more movies (and reviewers) can't do the same but instead totally miss the point.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Likeable crime caper, December 18, 2002

By	Ian Phillips (Bolton, Lancashire, UK) - See all my reviews

Ordinary Decent Criminal was loosley adapted from John Boormans critically acclaimed, The General which told the story of real-life Irish criminal Martin Cahill. In a perfect piece of casting, Kevin Spacey plays Cahill (though is renamed Michael Lynch in the movie), a cocky but likeable Dublin gangster who spent his days robbing the rich, annoying the police and falling foul of the IRA. Spacey puts in a power-packed, beleavable performance though he plays the role as a loveable rogue in contrast to the real Martin Cahill. His Irish accent is a little dodgy at times but makes up for it with his performance. The film is well structured featuring moments of comedy, undertones of gritty realism and plenty of impressive action scenes that makes this well worth a look. Given Spacy amicable support is British T.V actress Helen Baxendale as Lisa in a small but effective role. Recommended.