Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  John Boorman is an underrated director. Tell me the creators of The Sopranos didn't screen this. It's not perfect, in fact some of it is pretty tired - but it's got enough interesting stuff and Brendan Gleeson's portrayal of the Dublin crime cheiftan is… More
  John Boorman is an underrated director. Tell me the creators of The Sopranos didn't screen this. It's not perfect, in fact some of it is pretty tired - but it's got enough interesting stuff and Brendan Gleeson's portrayal of the Dublin crime cheiftan is powerful and exciting.

• Lucas M

  
  A criative screenplay and terrific direction, just like the acting, The General is a great motion picture. Fresh.

• Jim H

  
  A thief, pursued by an old friend from the neighborhood, evades the cops and the IRA. Brendan Gleeson is fantastic as the eponymous character; he's both awkward and wily, not looking the part of the thief but pulling it off believably. The rest of the supporting cast supports… More
  A thief, pursued by an old friend from the neighborhood, evades the cops and the IRA. Brendan Gleeson is fantastic as the eponymous character; he's both awkward and wily, not looking the part of the thief but pulling it off believably. The rest of the supporting cast supports Gleeson admirably, but even Jon Voight doesn't deliver a stand-out performance. The story is fairly basic -- a crime drama in which the criminal cleverly eludes his pursuers -- and I can't say that by the end of the film I cared about the characters. The film is so evenly presented that I wondered what it was saying. What is unique about this criminal that we haven't seen before besides his physique (compare Gleeson to George Clooney's Danny Ocean)? Overall, there's not a lot to feel strongly about in this film except Gleeson's superb performance.

• Luke B

  
  John Boorman delicately handles the life of a criminal. It's always a tough job to do because these are horrible people. They thrive on false placed loyalty and self pity that their lives aren't better. The film succeeds as it presents Cahill (accurately or not) as a… More
  John Boorman delicately handles the life of a criminal. It's always a tough job to do because these are horrible people. They thrive on false placed loyalty and self pity that their lives aren't better. The film succeeds as it presents Cahill (accurately or not) as a mischievous little devil. His crimes are often funny, as is his relationship with the police. Like a good film should, it gradually shows his physical and mental deterioration. It isn't long before he is taken over by paranoia, and when the police begin to use his own form of harassment against him, we see a broken and sad man. As the film progresses, we see his associates as they truly are. Drugs addicts, sex offenders, terrorists, we get the sense that Cahill realises he is not the romanticised character he is. Great stuff all round, with a moody saxophone score, and stunning performances.

• Lady D

  
  Brendon Gleeson pulls off the lesser glamorised version of events concerning the infamous Northern Irish Career Criminal known as ?The General? than Kevin Spacey did in the later film called ?Ordinary Decent Criminal?. This version shows a slightly more violent approach, to the… More
  Brendon Gleeson pulls off the lesser glamorised version of events concerning the infamous Northern Irish Career Criminal known as ?The General? than Kevin Spacey did in the later film called ?Ordinary Decent Criminal?. This version shows a slightly more violent approach, to the events which led up to his hit and shows more of the crimes he committed along with the love triangle with his wife and her Sister and their children. Actually quite comical in parts, Gleeson managed to come across as a cross between Ray Winstone and the Gene Hackman at times, but played an enjoyable role.

• Anthony L

  
  I liked this film but I'm a stickler for the truth and I'm not sure the real General should be so fondly remembered. What do I know though. A good film with the brilliant Brendan Gleeson!

• Alex F

  
  Finally Brendan Gleeson playing a main character. Worth watching just because of him.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings