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Ordinary Decent Criminal
 
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Ordinary Decent Criminal (1999)

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Linda Fiorentino Director: Thaddeus O'Sullivan Rating: R (Restricted) Format: DVD
2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

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Ordinary Decent Criminal + Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition) + The Big Kahuna
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Ordinary Decent Criminal
76% buy the item featured on this page:
Ordinary Decent Criminal 2.9 out of 5 stars (18)
$13.49
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7% buy
Consenting Adults 2.9 out of 5 stars (12)
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Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)
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Editorial Reviews

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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!

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18 Reviews
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (2)
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 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
2.9 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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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.

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10 of 10 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.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Kevin Spacey Vehicle, May 15, 2006
By Ian Phillips (Bolton, Lancashire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Ordinary Decent Criminal (shot in the U.K., Germany and Ireland) was a fairly loose and thinly veiled adaptation of the John Boormans critically acclaimed book, The General.

The General, told the story of real-life Irish criminal, Martin Cahill, who spent most of his days robbing the rich (with his philosphy being "they can afford it so why shouldn't I), laughably antagonising the police and on several occasions, falling foul of the IRA.

In a perfect piece of casting, Kevin Spacy takes on the role of the initial Cahill characterization and is re-named Michael Lynch in the film.

Kevin Spacy puts in a solid, power-packed, beleavable performance. He approaches his role in a number of ways and is vastly effective as the cocky but equally likeable Dublin gangster, playing it as though a loveable rogue in contrast to the real Cahill. His Irish accent is a little dodgy at times but apart from that minor flaw, Spacy excels in the role.

Directed by Thaddeus O' Sullivan with the screenplay having been written by Gerald Sternbridge, Ordinary Decent Criminal was considerably well-structured despite the lack of true detail to which the main character was based. The film follows Michael Lynch's many crime sprees (do not want to give too much away there) and makes for highly entertaining viewing. If anything the film seemed more inspired by The General, rather than structuring it around the ethos of Boormans book. Still the film vastly works despite that initial shortcoming.

Linda Florentino takes the role of Michael Lynch's wife, Christine. His loyal almost fierce devotion to his family is made crystal clear from the early sequences in the film.

British T.V star, Helen Baxendale (a one-time star on the fantastic U.S sitcom Friends and and one of the principal leads in the smash-hit U.K comedy-drama series, Colf Feet) turns up as as Lisa (who surprisingly delivers a beleavable Irish accent) and bubbles in the background as Lisa. where as Peter Mullan as Steve and Stephen Dillane as Noel Quigley get their chance to shine, biting into their parts with a vengeance and making the most of every scene they're in.

Ordinary Decent Criminal (1999) hosts many moments of generally amusing comedy (such as when Spacy hilariously falshes his naked rear end to some irritatingly condesending policemen) whilst there are a host of impressive action scenes, particulary the exciting climax of the film.

Kevin Spacy and the rest of the cast liven this film up no end and Thaddeus O' Sullivans direction is tight and sharp, matching the fast, overly witty and earthy dialogue.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars I am giving it to Salvation Army thrift store
Eek.
Slightly disgusting to begin with (two adoring wives to one husband and they don't even compete? Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. L. Yu

3.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time for non-Spacey fans.
I rented this movie solely because I'm a huge fan of Kevin Spacey, and as such, I was pleased by some of the film. Read more
Published on July 28, 2007 by Who Knows

4.0 out of 5 stars Firmly Tongue-In-Cheek
Thaddeus O'Sullivan who directed the Irish troubles movie "Nothing Personal," "December Bride" & has "Shadow Chaser" with Samuel L. Read more
Published on September 15, 2006 by Lee Armstrong

3.0 out of 5 stars Ordinary Decent Criminal
It's a good movie if you are a Kevin Spacey fan. It is interesting that this movie is based on a Michael Lynch who existed and did what he did.
Published on March 15, 2006 by Ellen M. Walden

4.0 out of 5 stars Though not a masterpiece, a movie worth watching!
Ordinary Decent Criminal brings to the screen the story of an Irish gangster (robber/thief) whose schemes provoke the wrath of both the IRA and the police. Read more
Published on December 20, 2005 by L Gontzes

4.0 out of 5 stars Robbers and Cops

Robbers and Cops, September 5, 2005Reviewer: Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL has to be one of the... Read more
Published on September 5, 2005 by Grady Harp

2.0 out of 5 stars Spacey must have had a double!
Spacey's character moons the press near the start of the movie. However, the moon was hairless and curvy. Read more
Published on June 22, 2005 by Jeffery Mingo

4.0 out of 5 stars great entertainment
Have just seen this dvd and was thoroughtly entertained. Kevin Spacey is one of today's greatest screen actors and this in itself was enough to make the experience good. Read more
Published on February 10, 2005 by Linda Sackstein

4.0 out of 5 stars It's fun to cheer for the bad guy!
While it's not the best 'cheer for the criminal' movie I've ever seen it is still fun. My only complaint is that Colin Ferrell's part is so small. Read more
Published on July 3, 2004 by Linnea Bradshaw

1.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable as Snatch? Yeah, right....
This is one of the most boring movies that I ever saw. The DVD box says: "If you enjoy Snatch you'll enjoy this" (or something like that)... Read more
Published on February 19, 2004 by R. Nedeljkovic

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