Review of Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000) by Alison O — 09 May 2010

Best in Show: Peter Mullan.

One for the future: Colin Farrell.

Stand-out scene: Gold bullion in car door calamity.

Brainer or no-brainer: No brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: One.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

DVD.

What is is with films that try to convince the viewer that despite the unlawful activities of its protagonist, they're good people in their own way? This movie takes that conceit and blatantly declares it in its title, the rings run around the Irish Garda by Michael Lynch and his gang forming the basis of the movie. In a rare instance of capitulation, when Thaddeus O'Sullivan got wind that the esteemed John Boorman was already working on a project that had the story of Martin 'The General' Cahill at its heart, he altered his storyline. For a film about a Dublin crimelord there's precious few genuine Irish accents amongst the main cast (a young Colin Farrell, David 'one-armed washer upper from Man About the House' Kelly and Gerard McSorley are about the only emerald islers who fall into this category). Spacey proves he's no Streep with his wavering attempt at the brogue, and only Fiorentino and Peter Mullan pass muster on this front. As a crime lord the chamelonic Spacey has the inate menace required, and this is a movie where the crime and violence on show is largely played for laughs, with positive results. Michael Lynch pulls off a series of elaborate heists in his home town, leading the Garda on a merry dance whilst at the same time being a loving family man to his kids and two 'wives' (sisters Christine - Fiorentino - and Lisa - Helen Baxendale). Christine's interest in a Caravaggio exhibition leads him to come over all Thomas Crown Affair and swipe a multi-million pound painting and the exasperated Garda take a desperate measure (24 hour surveillance of Lynch) in an attempt to bring his crime spree to a halt. The incident upon which the movie climaxes stretches credulity to its breaking point as you're asked to believe that marksmen would all train their sights on one area of a body in particular. Accents aside this is a fairly rewarding comedy thriller.