Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000) User Reviews

Ordinary Decent Film

[darren shan · 7/10 · 9 January 2000]

Based on the real-life figure of Dublin gangster Martin Cahill (his story was also told in THE GENERAL, released in 1998), this fast-moving crime flick has little new to offer, but is worth a look for fans of the genre. Writer Gerard Stembridge takes the main facts of Cahill's life and gives them a slight spin (most especially the latter stages) to create an interesting mix of fantasy and reality. It's not as good as THE GENERAL; Spacey and Fiorentino struggle with their accents; and the finale is a bit much for us to swallow. But, for all its flaws, it's a lively and amusing piece, if destined forever to fall in the shadow of its more illustrious fore-runner.

Lightweight escapist fun

[springsoft · 6/10 · 12 September 2000]

This is a charming, rollicking yarn, full of mischievous criminal acts perpetrated by Spacey and his cronies. It's light, frothy, and doesn't develop much suspense or real drama, and ultimately is a pointless exercise in movie making.

Spacey is OK, Linda Fiorentino is wooden (perhaps concentrating too much on trying to master the lyrical cadences of the Irish accent - she fails!). Helen Baxendale is simperingly gorgeous as usual, but she too fails to get as close to the accent as Spacey. The supporting cast of British and Irish actors are wonderful, and there are some delightful cameos.

Sadly, Patrick Malahide is wasted, his character being painted with a broad and parodied brush.

Boorman's "The General" covered the same subject matter much more expertly, but without the benefit of a Hollywood "A-list" actor to kick it along.

I'm still wondering what possessed Kevin Spacey, who is a fine actor, to get involved in this movie.

Robbers and Cops

[gradyharp · 7/10 · 5 September 2005]

ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL has to be one of the more tongue-in-cheek titles Hollywood has devised for a story apparently based on a real life infamous Irish gangster Martin Cahill whose claim to fame was robbing banks and getting away with it while posing as a preceptor of family values! Yet in this reincarnation the plot is suffused with comedy and typical capers and served up by a fine cast on a shaky platform.

Michael Lynch (Kevin Spacey, always terrific to watch even in uneven films) is a 'gentleman robber', married to two sisters (Linda Fiorentino and Helen Baxendale) whose latest criminal diversion involves the theft of a Caravaggio painting. How he utilizes his cohorts and evades the police headed by Noel Quigley (the extraordinarily gifted actor Stephen Dillane who played Stephen Woolf in 'The Hours'). The cast is good and makes the best of a confusing arc of storyline written by Gerard Stembridge. Director Thaddeus O'Sullivan keeps things moving along but slides into some boring and non-additive variances from the plot and character development that threaten to grind down the film. Tack on a corny ending not in keeping with the real character on whose life the story is based and the recipe for lack of success in the theaters is obvious.

But keep the expectations low and this film will entertain. Sad that for its distribution in the USA the cover of the DVD lists Colin Farrell as one of the stars (Spacey, Fiorentino, Farrell) which says a lot about PR grossness: Farrell is a VERY minor extra here and should any other actor be listed in top billing it is Stephen Dillane! Not a great heist film but it's always good to see more of Spacey. Grady Harp

Not as funny as it tries to be

[tomimt · 7/10 · 12 April 2005]

Who doesn't like witty, lovable criminals, who out wit every copper and other rival criminals in a heartbeat? That's a crime movie genre, which actually appeals to me: smart dialogs, funny action and so on.

So, in "Ordinary Decent Criminal" we have one of the greatest living actors, Kevin Spacey, who is playing Irish mobster named Michael Lynch, and he's just such a fellow I described. There's also Colin Farrell in a small role as one of the thugs in Michael's gang. Actually rather good acting all around from all of the actors and that's the only reason this movie stays afloat, because the script is not that funny as it tries to be.

Sure, it has couple of good laughs in it, but most of the jokes feel little forced.

Direction is pretty decent, not worst thing ever directed, but certainly not the greatest crime movie either.

Good for couple of laughs.

Kevin with Sopranos in Dublin

[dromasca · 7/10 · 30 June 2002]

On the wings of the Sopranos era concept 'crime is a business as any other', here comes the Irish version. The problem is that it lies entirely on the shoulders of Oscar-touched Kevin Stacey. It tries to be a very Irish film, with human and enjoyable gangsters, the cops are the villain, and the victims never really show up. The charm relies entirely on Kevin Stacey's performance, though some other good acting can be seen around - for example Linda Fiorentino who gets too little screen time, in my opinion, and some other supporting actors who must be Irish or British because they are both good, as well as fresh faces. However, acting only cannot save the movie, it is after all easy to forget, and certainly cannot provide the answer to the key question - can ordinary decent criminals really be ordinary decent humans?

Entertaining crime comedy

[Travis_Bickle01 · 7/10 · 10 September 2005]

Very amusing crime comedy with Kevin Spacey as the star of the show. We already knew that Spacey is capable of playing any role and also in this movie he truly delivers. Kevin Spacey is Michael Lynch, an ordinary decent criminal who loves playing some games with the cops. I think you can compare him to Thomas Crown (performed by Steve McQueen in 1968 and by Pierce Brosnan in the remake 31 years later). A criminal, a gentleman and womaniser in one person.

Kevin Spacey was excellently casted as the male lead. Furthermore we see Linda Fiorentino as Lynch's wife, Peter Mullan ("My Name Is Joe") as Spacey's right hand and a very small part for Colin Farrell. The story is very well written and it contains a lot of twist. A must see for a Saturday night. Not a deep or difficult story, just fine Saturday night entertainment.

Recommendable! 7,5/10

Lock Stock and Two Caravaggios

[KellyP · 4 September 2001]

I stumbled across this movie and watched it without preconceptions or expectations. Unlike many of your reviewers I enjoyed it hugely. But then, I haven't seen "The General". So whether comparison with that film is fair or not, I couldn't say.

But what none of your reviewers have pointed to is its structural resemblance to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". ODC is not as original as that wonderful film, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it doesn't do a bad job in terms of wit or entertainment.

Spacey's casting is a bit bizarre, but works because of that and his geniality lifts the movie. Only Patrick Malahide takes character truly into the realms of caricature.

Overall ODC is an engaging and enjoyable romp of a film with some nice twists and plenty to enjoy in an undemanding sort of way.

an above ordinary decent film.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 7/10 · 22 August 2007]

After having heard that this was a good film from a friend of mine years ago.I have at last rented it,and while it got swept-under by the fantastic American Beauty,this is still a very good Irish/English film. The Plot:

Michael Lynch(Kevin"K-Pax"Spacy)is someone who cares about his wife and kids,but he also leads another life as a leader of a gang(that includes a pre-fame Colin Farrel!)The gang are constantly getting followed by police who want to catch them doing the crimes,due to the media outlets making Michael look like a modern-day "Robin Hood!",so Michael decides to pull off the "ultumate" crime-that is to steel some very valuable works of art.But with Micales addiction to the lime-light,and with the police catching up,the crime is sure to end in bloodshed. View on the film:

While the accent's in the film do make it a bit tough to fully get sucked into the film(due to knowing how the actors "really" sound.)They are able to still keep you interested in the film.Spacy gives a very good and interesting performance in that,unlike Spacys character in American Beauty,Spacy has a self-confidence and determination thats unlike most of his performances. Final view on the film.

A very enjoyable English/Irish film,with a very good performance by Spacy.

Ordinary Decent Show

[mickeydoyle · 10/10 · 1 November 2004]

The film itself is a bit of a laugh. The part where Stevie laments over his poverty stricken child hood is hilarious. Fair enough the foreign actors such as Spacey's and Baxendale's accent are useless but sure at the end of the day its no big deal. The Gardai Siochanna are also a wild laugh with them following Spacey about through Dublin giving him plenty of stick. This film can't be taken seriously and was never intended to be. If you wanted the true story about Michael Cahill, go and watch 'the General' if you want to see a crowd of cowboys rampaging through Dublin making a mockery of the Gardai Siochanna then watch this film. All in all a good laugh but not one for 'serious viewers'.

Ordinary Decent Thriller

[CharltonBoy · 7/10 · 26 April 2001]

Ordinary decent Criminal is an above average irish cops v robbers story about a charming criminal played by Kevin spacey who masterminds robbery's and who is always one step ahead of the Police. I'm not sure why Kevin Spacey took the lead role in this film, it is certainly no Usual Suspects but it does have the slight feel of it. You cant help but like Spacey's character, he is an Irishman who dislikes the church and the IRA and that is a breath of fresh air for feature film made in the republic. While this film is very watchable you cant help feel it is a little like a feature length version of an episode of Minder. 7 out of 10

An abysmal failure

[=G= · 3/10 · 25 January 2003]

"Ordinary Decent Criminal" is sad because it is obviously trying to succeed and equally obviously hasn't a chance in hell of making it apparently owing to the absence of a clear sense of purpose. A abysmal failure at droll Irish comedy with Spacey as a thief who enjoys outsmarting the cops and his competition becoming a sort of folk hero in his own mind, this flick manages to be mildly amusing when it's trying to be funny, slightly more than boring when it's trying to be interesting, and forget sentimental or poignant or endearing though it takes shots at those qualities as well. "Ordinary Decent Criminal" has a clumsy screenplay, naive direction, journeyman execution, thin story, poor casting, mediocre acting, and eventually becomes lost in itself and sinks into a mire of hopeless mediocrity. Pass on this one. (D)

Has Hollywood infested the Irish filmakers?

[videooutakes · 9/10 · 18 January 2003]

Ordinary Decent Criminal has just been released on video out here in the States and I was saddend to see that Hollywood's influence has sucked the orginality out of Irish filmakers. I was ready to sit down and watch one of my favorite actor's, Kevin Spacey, in this movie, when 10 mins into the film I realized I was watching a bloody remake of "The General", which starred Jon Voight and Breandon Gleeason. At first it was hard to swallow the Irish accents, but I got used to it. I stayed with the movie noticing differnt changes from the other great movie,The General, but I was pleasantly surpised that the movie turned out to be really good. Of course I felt that Linda Fiorentino was totally wasted in the part of Spacey's wife, and poor Collin Farrell, if he was in the movie more than 5 mintues that would be something. Overall I'd say the film was watchable. Spacey is good and there are soild peformaces from the rest of the irish cast. If you haven't seen "The General" I suggest you see that film, then watch this fim just to enjoy Spacey doing what he does best, ACTING.

Good movie

[cburton-3 · 7/10 · 6 April 2005]

This was a fine movie, of the type that American film makers seem utterly incapable of making these days. The characters and plot were believable, there was a good sense of place (you got a nice sense of being in Ireland), it had many moments of (believable) excitement and suspense, and the ending was interesting and amusing. I enjoyed the technique the film maker used to splice the planning of the various schemes with the the execution of the schemes. The relationship between the character played by Mr. Spacey and his "two wives" was tittilating without being pornographic, as it was incorporated into his family situation. The parts on the way the police handled the gang were treated with amusement, rather than an expose-style, try-to-shock-us approach. It says something about Hollywood style films these days that Mr. Spacey and Ms. Fiorentino had to go all the way to Ireland to make it.

Very Poor!

[glenn-82 · 2/10 · 6 November 2000]

Well,

First of all, as many reviewers have pointed out - this is a rip off of the Martin Cahill story - first represented by the BBC and by the John Boorman film "The General" - which is a great film and far, far superior to this one.

Speaking as a native British person, the supporting cast to Kevin Spacey was really good in terms of British and Irish acting talent, especially Peter Mullan - but it was totally wasted. The characters were c**p! And as for Kevin Spacey - didn't come across as a loveable rogue but as nothing really substantial or significant.

Not a lot to redeem this film. The best bits are the gags and tricks nicked from the other films it rips off. Compare notes on this film and "The General" - I'd be interested to see what others think.

Ordinary film about ordinary crimes

[nitola-00741 · 6/10 · 13 November 2020]

This movie is ambiguous. The moive trying balanced between comedy and serious criminal story. However, he did not succeed. Positive sides: talented actors. The genius of the protagonist conditioned by idiocy of cops. There are many characters in the films, but discloses only Spacey. I am not regret that I spent time on this but will not re watch.

It tries to be something it isn't.

[Supernova90 · 7/10 · 12 November 2008]

Set in Dublin, Ordinary Decent Criminal is a story about Michael Lynch - heist planner and family man.

The film is loosely based on Martin Cahill, a notable Irish crime lord. However, due to a movie already being filmed about him at the time Ordinary Decent Criminal was being made the storyline had to be changed here and there.

I sat down to watch the movie with high-expectations for a few reasons. The first being Kevin Spacey stared in it, the second being that I'm a fan of Irish and UK crime movies for the stylish filming and witty dialogue - however this film fell short and only had a little bit of both.

The accent from Spacey and the female leads seemed too forced and I was left trying to figure out why a local actor wasn't cast as the lead role - it would've felt more natural.

Unlike Snatch and Lockstock & Two Smoking Barrels, this movie isn't memorable, witty, or as snappy as it makes itself out to be.

Overall the movie was good, but it wasn't great. I would hire it, but not own the DVD.

A little too broad for its own good.

[MOscarbradley · 6/10 · 27 July 2023]

Based, for the most part, on the same real-life character who inspired John Boorman's "The General", "Ordinary Decent Criminal" suffers in comparison but while it's far from being a great film it's a reasonably enjoyable one nevertheless with a highly unlikely Kevin Spacey cast as Ireland's master criminal and number one gangster 'Michael Taylor''. We're not talking Spacey the double Oscar winner here but Spacey the actor prepared to take on any role and run with it and he seems to be laughing up his sleeve with us or perhaps just at us.

That fine and yet largely unknown Irish director Thaddeus O'Sullivan helmed the picture from a good screenplay by Gerard Stembridge and he's assembled a first-rate cast that also includes Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, StephenDillane, Helen Baxendale, David Hayman and Patrick Malahide as well as Colin Farrell and Christoph Waltz early in their careers.

The tone is largely comic though the material is fundamentally serious and today the film feels a bit like a fish out of water; you might even say it's all a bit tasteless given the state of Irish 'gangsterism' in the last decade but if it's closer to "Father Ted" than "The General" maybe it's not such a bad thing. A little too broad at times but somehow it call comes right at the end.

Is this a remake of 'The General' or what?

[timelord-3 · 7/10 · 28 August 2000]

It's hard to make a bad guy/gangster type of movie these days without resorting to the cliches that have been portrayed countless times in the past.

Ordinary Decent Criminal unfortunately does fall into the trap of using these readily identifiable traits to try and warm the audience to what is really quite an uneven and directionless movie. Here are some of the cliches that the film employs:

1. Likeable rogue criminal doing jobs not because he has to but because he enjoys it 2. Criminals doing jobs with brazen cheek, right under the noses of the local police 3. Boss man trying to help out one of his team who has got involved with the IRA 4. Rogue who plays up to the media - and even wears a mask to hide his identity 5. Ordinary Irish familiy being evicted from supposed 'tenament slums' - but standing fast against the eviction.

And that's just for starters.

Ordinary Decent Criminal is the story of Michael Lynch (Kevin Spacey) and his gang of likeable criminals. Well respected and liked in his local community, he nonetheless is responsible for a series of high profile robberies, well staged in their execution, leaving the local police with plenty of suspicions, but no evidence.

And that's pretty much all the film is about. Lynch and his cronies doing various robberies, baffling police and having a lot of fun into the bargain.

The performances on the whole are adequate, but I can't escape the nagging feeling that Spacey was miscast. He is incongrous with his Irish accent, which no amount of cheeky smiles and dramatic flourishes can hide. His two "wives" played by Linda Fiorentino (Being John Malkovich) and Helen Baxendale (from the TV series Cold Feet) are OK, but Baxendale is barely used; it is Fiorentino who bears the brunt of the "wife of a criminal' dialogue.

And are we meant to like Spacey? At times the movie gives the distinct impression we are not. The interrogation scene involving fingres and a car suspended up high do not make one feel compassionate about his character. But other scenes in the film are meant to make you feel that the Spacey character is one which you should feel sorry for. A bit of direction in this area would have tidied up what is already a muddled film.

The soundtrack is quite good, a thumping but well thought out work that compliments the action well.

Special mention must go to Peter Mullan (My Name is Joe), who is the standout amongst the supporting cast.

My overall feeling is that Ordinary Decent Criminal is just on the downside of being a good movie, but certainly well upwind of being awful.

7 out of 10.

A shame this came so close after The General

[Allie-18 · 8/10 · 15 January 2000]

Back in 1998, John Boorman directed "The General" with Brendan Gleeson in the lead role. It told the true story of the late Dublin criminal Martin "The General" Cahill who pulled off a number of daring heists, never went out in public without covering his face with either clothing or his hand, had a bizarre menage a trois relationship with his wife and her sister, and was so clever and cunning that the police never managed to press any charges against him.

In Ordinary Decent Criminal, Kevin Spacey plays Michael Lynch, a clever criminal who pulls off daring heists, never goes out in public without covering his face, has a bizarre menage a trois with his wife and her sister... you get the idea. Having seen "The General", it's hard not to compare it to Ordinary Decent Criminal. Even though the film-makers claim that it is based "loosely" around the life of Cahill (who must be chuckling in his grave at his renewed celebrity after death), very large tracts of the film are based on real-life events. It's hard not to get the feeling that half way though filming, the film-makers desperately tried to change the script in order to stop it being a direct remake of Boorman's film.

That's not to say that Ordinary Decent Criminal isn't worth watching. It is. It's a fast paced, stylishly shot, blackly humorous romp. Kevin Spacey does his usual sterling work in the lead role. He makes quite a reasonable attempt at an Irish accent - at times it's spot on, other times it wavers a bit. The less said about the accents of other cast members, the better. Overall, Ordinary Decent Criminal is a well made crime thriller which will suffer inevitable comparisons with "The General".

Not bad, not bad at all!!

[Funky_Casanova · 6/10 · 23 May 2001]

hmm.. when I first heard about this movie, I wasn't sure I wanted to watch it. Since I am a big Kevin Spacey fan, I didn't want to watch anything that would be a drawback. I was quite surprised to find the movie very nice. I enjoyed watching the mocking side of Kevin, making jokes and all. I thought that the movie had a lack of action but it was very good. Kevin was brilliant, as usual!!

oh be gorra its kevin spacey

[sean003 · 4/10 · 27 November 2003]

one of the worst excuses for an irish accents i've heard. from a truly great actor too. its a bad irish accent not to mention a dublin accent (which is completely different) anyway the film is loosely based around the story of ganglord martin cahill and its done much much much better with brendan gleeson in the title role in THE GENERAL

Phlagmetic thief continually tries to outwit the coppers!

[bakooi · 8/10 · 20 July 2000]

Typically English, and Spacey somehow seems to fit right in. Even behind his mask one can tell he is very pleased with himself. The movie is full of crazy ideas and every time you have to wonder how Spacey will work himself out of yet another precarious situation. The painting-robbery is simply brilliant. Well edited, with flashforwards and flashbacks which tell us a lot in just a little bit of time. Great fun, well written, amusement at its best. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less!

Linda, Linda, Linda!

[csimpkins53 · 4 February 2011]

Linda Fiorentino. Ohmygawd what a beautiful lady! Be still my heart!!! Oh, boy, here we go again with this ridiculous requirement of 10 lines! I said what I wanted to say in less than 15 words. Why, oh why, does IMDb require that people be unnecessarily wordy when what one desires to say can be done in only a few words. I can understand a maximum limit but the minimum limit of 10 lines is just silly. Anyway, I could watch Linda Fiorentino forever. She is simply gorgeous. Sheesh! I still don't have enough lines. How many ways can I say that Linda Fiorentino is hot?! Nope, still not enough. This is a fairly entertaining movie but I will say that Linda Fiorentino is the best part of the movie.

Spacey should have stayed away from this

[jason_13 · 3/10 · 16 July 2007]

Kevin Spacey is without a doubt one of the best actors of the 90s. After his performances in The Usual Suspect, Se7en and American Beauty, you expect more and more from him. That is why Ordinary Decent Criminal is a huge disappointment.

Michael Lynch is the most artful criminal in Dublin who is never in a bad mood. His next heist becomes an obsession when his partners start questioning Michael's ability to plan everything perfectly, although this is the only thing he does when he isn't playing good father at home.

I guess, it's partly my fault for not paying enough attention to the thousand plot details which sadly turn out to be the "essence" of the film. I gave the movie a chance by calling it a parody and.... well, parodies are always funny, no matter what they spoof or how they do it. So, it wasn't after all a complete parody on purpose. It's just a different con movie that desperately tries to be funny and fails.

Unlike some of his "colleagues", Ordinary Decent Criminal depends too much on story development and logical continuity, forgetting what's the main reason, the viewer has picked this kind of movie - to be entertained. This is definitely not entertainment. It includes one of the most ridiculous scenes ever - the introduction of Michael's TWO wives. I don't know whether it's some kind of a mindless metaphor or strange, dark humor, but the chicks are sisters. Remember, Spacey's character has kids.

Ordinary Decent Criminal is complex and confusing. You are not waiting for a funny scene. Instead, you carefully follow the dialog, because there is a big possibility of losing yourself into the boring, pale universe, the film has inhabited.

Let's go back to Spacey. I wonder in what condition he has been, signing for that movie. It's not miscasting, but something much worse. An insult to his work in American Beauty, released an year before Ordinary Decent Criminal. The character Michael is eccentric and talkative. Spacey is almost pathetic at times. The only cure for this, is thinking of Lester Burnham and Roger Kint.

Writer, Gerrard Stembridge should definitely re-consider his screen writing abilities and be more objective this time. Because, the dialog is very weak and the scenes are often pointless. And we are still talking about a comedy.

Ordinary Decent Criminal is a really bad crime comedy which does not deserve your attention.