The Crying Game (1992)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  Two different things fused together that you wouldn't think would fit make a film that evokes the troublesome violence of war, the bonds of friendship which cannot be diminished by political loyalties, and the nuanced differences of love and sex. The political atmosphere of the… More
  Two different things fused together that you wouldn't think would fit make a film that evokes the troublesome violence of war, the bonds of friendship which cannot be diminished by political loyalties, and the nuanced differences of love and sex. The political atmosphere of the film plagues it in the beginning, throwing in an undertone of revolution and an honest look at the IRA's contribution to wartime travesties, and the bloodshed they must inflict and endure to win out. Though this makes up a huge chunk of the first part of this film it's not the predominant theme. It's more of a complex yet convenient plot device to satisfy the need to give the main character a great dollop of guilt, enough to fuel the rest of the plot. The main reason it's set where it is and holds the weight of political intrigue and rebellion is because it was written and directed by native Neil Jordan. It's a universal story that could have been put in multiple times of war or revolution and been just as interesting. It's the sordid time of the nineties that made this film a sleeper hit and jacked up its box office total. Besides that there is also a big reveal in the plot which changes the tone of the film and shocked a lot of audiences who made this film famous through word of mouth. The film itself is not as shocking by the standards of the times we live in. This was in part a story about love triumphing over the intense reflections of Irish extremist society and also the world view of sexuality and gender roles. Maybe that's being too general a message or meaning for this complex look at several mainstream issues. None of them are directly addressed or explored to its fullest capacity, so I have to look at this film solely for its story. In all, nothing was too over the top, offensive, or revealing about the state of the world's affairs, but it was an interesting and topsy-turvy view of the bonds between people. Most of all the film is about Fergus (Rea), his guilt at the fate of Jody, and his ensuing want to protect his girlfriend, who he subsequently protects in lieu of Jody. The plot itself was collectively successful in showing Fergus through every stage of his denial and acceptance of the circumstances. In the end he ultimately sacrifices everything to clear a murky conscious, and if this is the true point of the film it's undoubtedly the most powerful part.

• Dan S

  
  A well-constructed though massively over-rated thriller about an IRA "volunteer" (Stephen Rea) who starts a relationship with a striking female (Jaye Davidson) who is the girlfriend of a hostage (Forest Whitaker) he once looked over and shared a special bond with. It gets… More
  A well-constructed though massively over-rated thriller about an IRA "volunteer" (Stephen Rea) who starts a relationship with a striking female (Jaye Davidson) who is the girlfriend of a hostage (Forest Whitaker) he once looked over and shared a special bond with. It gets major brownie points for its twist (which, even if you see it coming, like me, it still is executed terrifically), as well as the simply superb performances leading the way (both Rea and Davidson knock the ball out of the park in their respected turns). However, it takes a while to get going, and some of the plot does not make total since (why the IRA wants Rea back to do that "one last job" - seems cliche). However, still a very watchable film, thanks to the chemistry between Rea and Davidson, as well as its clever take on human sexuality and what loving a person is all about, even if they aren't what you think.

• Sarah G

  
  This incredibly underated British drama

• Chris G

  
  Before starting my review of The Crying Game I must let you know that if you know the big plot twist in the film it isn’t a major turning point in the film and doesn’t take away from the overall experience. If you don’t know the twist, then forget I said anything. A British… More
  Before starting my review of The Crying Game I must let you know that if you know the big plot twist in the film it isn’t a major turning point in the film and doesn’t take away from the overall experience. If you don’t know the twist, then forget I said anything. A British solider named Jody (Forrest Whittaker) is kidnapped by IRA terrorists and held for ransom, mainly a prisoner exchange. While being held at a small, deserted farmstead in the woods he befriends Fergus (Steven Rea), one of his captors who butts heads with his fellow IRA colleague Jude (Miranda Richardson). After the abrupt death of Jody and an attack by British troops, Fergus travels to London to fulfill a promise he made Jody to look in on the love of his life Dil (Jaye Davidson). A relationship blossoms between this rough and tumble singer and the ex-IRA terrorist that is threatened to be torn apart by his past. Like films such as Full Metal Jacket, The Crying Game feels like two films combined into one. Opening in Ireland and the events with Jody, the picture drops us into a completely different world in which clubbing and living the lifestyle are king. There is nothing left for Fergus to fight for in this rich new land, except for Dil and the ghost of Jody that seems to haunt him as he goes along. Neil Jordan delivers a film that is hypnotic in the way it operates and flows from scene to scene, even though we stay in the same familiar places in each section of the film. Steven Rea is magnificent as the confused terrorist Fergus, originally confused by the war he was involved in and now confused by his relationship with Dil. Rea has real presence on the screen and achieves that sympathy that an actor in such a situation needs. Among the rest of the cast this is a well performed film with little to be ashamed about. It’s a fantastic film that travels without us going anywhere because of its performances. Of course The Crying Game is remembered for one thing. It’s much more than that one particular scene and it still doesn’t change the overall tone of the film. A great film from the early 1990’s when movies were starting to climb from the doldrums of the 1980’s.

• Tim S

  
  An excellent and stellar piece of work. I'm bummed Stephen Rea didn't get too many more offers for more lead roles...he's fantastic.

• Lady D

  
  A thoroughly enjoyable Romantic Thriller with a difference. It?s a little disappointing that most people know the catch to this film, however if you?re one of those people who don?t know, watch before you find out. This really is a story of two parts, the first setting the intial… More
  A thoroughly enjoyable Romantic Thriller with a difference. It?s a little disappointing that most people know the catch to this film, however if you?re one of those people who don?t know, watch before you find out. This really is a story of two parts, the first setting the intial story, the second really working on the present storyline, with reprocussions of the past. Another great performance from Rea and an original piece.

• Anthony L

  
  A stunning film, one of my favourites of all time. People seem to have problems with the 'Secret' and badmouth it thanks to it being profusely spoofed by inferior comedies looking for a cheap laugh. If you have yet to see it, please watch it soon and without bias, it?s an… More
  A stunning film, one of my favourites of all time. People seem to have problems with the 'Secret' and badmouth it thanks to it being profusely spoofed by inferior comedies looking for a cheap laugh. If you have yet to see it, please watch it soon and without bias, it?s an absolute classic.

• Tsubaki S

  
  Builded way too much around it's plot twist to make this stand as nothing more than a novelty of it's time.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  i made a promise to my friends that my reviews weren't gonna be that long, so i'll try to make it quick...The Crying Game, a great movie from director Neil Jordan (Interview With The Vampire, Breakfast on Pluto)...it's a great mixture of drama, thriller and romance that… More
  i made a promise to my friends that my reviews weren't gonna be that long, so i'll try to make it quick...The Crying Game, a great movie from director Neil Jordan (Interview With The Vampire, Breakfast on Pluto)...it's a great mixture of drama, thriller and romance that takes over you right from the start...it has a nice script and photography and really good performances by Jordan's signature actor, Stephen Rea, Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson and Jaye Davidson...great movie, and about that "twist", it wasn't a real shocker, i mean, you could see miles away it was a gut (oops!) haha.. get over it, this movie is really old ( i was 2 when it came out) haha

• Cindy I

  
  This is an excellent film, despite the big deal with "the twist", which I figured out before I saw the film. The friendship between Stephen Rea (always good) as an IRA member and Forrest Whitaker as Jody, the soldier the IRA kidnaps, is moving, as it leads to Rea promising… More
  This is an excellent film, despite the big deal with "the twist", which I figured out before I saw the film. The friendship between Stephen Rea (always good) as an IRA member and Forrest Whitaker as Jody, the soldier the IRA kidnaps, is moving, as it leads to Rea promising Whitaker he'll watch over his girlfriend. That's where things get really interesting. It was fun to sit in the theatre and hear everyone's reaction to the "reveal" who weren't prepared for it.

• Jason S

  
  I already knew the twist in the end but I still thought this was a really interesting movie.

• Tom E

  
  what a surprise!

• Michael G

  
  I remember it being good when I saw it. You know, aside from the penis.

• Fascade F

  
  Slow moving melodramatic flick of friendship...first time I've seen and experienced an unsuspecting surprise in a movie. Classic...creepy and weird..."cr-weird!"

• Duncan R

  
  Wonderful movie. An intriguing set up, a shocking twist towards the middle (even though I smelled it from a mile away), an intense climax and an ending that can only be described as "appropriate". It played <i>my</i> emotions like a fiddle, that's for damn… More
  Wonderful movie. An intriguing set up, a shocking twist towards the middle (even though I smelled it from a mile away), an intense climax and an ending that can only be described as "appropriate". It played <i>my</i> emotions like a fiddle, that's for damn sure.

• Joey N

  
  I loved this. more later?

• Nicolas K

  
  Jordan is an amazing story teller and this story is short of nothing but brilliant.

• Alec B

  
  Different, I really won't say much about the plot other than it involves the IRA and one of cinema's most famous and original twists.

• William G

  
  Interesting character drama becomes a bit unhinged in 3rd act.

• Stephen E

  
  Probably my favorite thing about "The Crying Game" is how well-paced it is. For me, those 110 minutes flew right on by. Now, that's usually a sign that you really like the film you're watching, but to tell you the truth, I didn't. Neil Jordan has an original… More
  Probably my favorite thing about "The Crying Game" is how well-paced it is. For me, those 110 minutes flew right on by. Now, that's usually a sign that you really like the film you're watching, but to tell you the truth, I didn't. Neil Jordan has an original and offbeat way of telling his romance story and both his direction and the acting are super, but other than that, it doesn't feel like a great film, which his "Mona Lisa" was. Of course, "The Crying Game" was a huge hit at the time of its release, and I can respect it for that, but really, I don't entirely see why it was so popular.

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