Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely captivating, both music & theme.
Review: Loved this movie, I've seen it several times. It was quite an experience; the music was as I said captivating. A movie that has to be seen to be believed.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally wrenching, spellbinding...just see it!
Review: Have the Kleenex handy -- this film is powerful and unsparing of the most complex human feelings. From Jody's indomitable spirit and love for his girl to Dil's heartbroken collapse in the face of Fergus' unanticipated revulsion, The Crying Game is a roller coaster ride for the soul. Not for those who are squeamish about "gender bender" subject matter -- people whose minds are open about the universality of human love will watch it again and again and again. Whitaker, Rea, and Davidson all turn in fabulous performances.
Rating:
Summary: "A film that will keep you guessing"
Review: A remarkable film with a twist in plot and character that is rooted in the best traditions of Shakesperean drama and comedy. (If you are familiar with the dramatic practice of the times that women's parts were played by men, because the cultural mores of the times wouldnt permit women to be actors.)Having said all that, its not really fair to reveal the gender irony that provides the fulcrum upon which the storyline of the film turns. The film however is also filled with other social and political ironies. IRA terrorists who capture a British soldier who is symbolic of an imposed occupying colonialism, but who also happens to be a person of color. The female lead character is also a person of color but that characteristic is secondary to the ironies of her gender identity. The more important truth of the film however is that political or socially constructed differences can be transcended and that the acknowledgement of human decency and caring can be a basis for humane action. This film is also remarkable in that it is Jaye Davidson's acting debut as one of the principle female lead characters for which Davidson was nominated for an academay award as best supporting actor. It supposedly was Davidson's first acting and was to be Davidson's only acting experience. Subsequently, however, Davidson has appeared in Stargate. Stephen Rhea won an academy award for best screenplay for this film.
Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Movie!
Review: "The Crying Game" shocked the bejesus out of me the first time I saw it with its great story and big "surprise". The immaculately crafted script and direction of Neil Jordan combined with stellar performances of Stephan Rea, Forrest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson, and the androgynously brilliant Jaye Davidson, make this a masterpiece of modern film making. It was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, won Neil Jordan the Original Screenplay award, and the only reason Davidson didn't take home Supporting Actor was because of Gene Hackman ("Unforgiven"). Otherwise, he would have been a shoo-in.
Rating: 
Summary: Twist and turns and more twists and turns
Review: The movie starts with Forest Whitaker (playing an English soldier with an accent that does not suit him) gets kidnapped by the IRA. You think the movie will be about the kipnapper and him bonding. It ends earlier however and the kidnapper has to flee to England. FW has asked him to take care of his 'girlfriend' which he does. There he finds out the real secret... It's a great movie with many great twists in the plot. It's a little slow at times but beware of all the changes in the storyline. There might be some things you did not expect...
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic mingle of plots
Review: What was the "Crying Game" all about? It is hard to say, but one thing is for sure, it was put together in a genius fashion. The viewer is unsure where it all steers at and the famous revelation of Dil's secret is only one point in the story, although it puts a lot of pepper in. Sometimes you will find that certain viewers tend to be disgusted by even a mention of that being possible, but it seems some of them were quite enchanted by the beautiful Dil until then. In general, the cast is doing a very good job and makes it easy to relate to the characters, what, in a story like that, is probably more difficult than it looks like. The script full of twists is very well written and the production should be applauded for having the courage to kill one of the main actors right after the beginning (which is not to say, killing an actor early on always makes a great movie). If you are open minded enough for watching an individual look on the Northern Ireland problem mingled with an unusual lovestory, this is a must-see!
Rating:
Summary: Haunting Human Drama Diguised as A Political Thriller
Review: "When I was a child I thought as a child, when I became a man I gave up childish things." The words of the captive(Stephen Rea) to his prisoner(Forrest Wittikar) the night before he has to shoot him. He has (unwisely) formed a human bond with his prisoner, and its easy to see way, because Jodi as played by Whittikar is a lovable, open hearted and kind man. Even though he is only in the movie for 20 about minutes, Whittikars performance haunts the rest of the film, we come to understand more of his character once we meet the love of his life he left behind, Dill(Jaye Davidson). Caught between the two is Stephen Rea's Fergues, who with those soulful heart broken eyes of his, discovers the gift and troubles Jodi has left him by telling him about his girlfriend. When Dill sings the crying game in the pub, we can feel real pain in "I know all there is to know about the crying game" because she like Fergues (who's lost his faith in the cause he's fighting for)and Jodi are very lonely people. This is a truly beautiful and original film, its tone is rather sad because Fergues's past will defintely come back to claim him and we know this, but it deserves to be owned not just watched because like the best of movies its impact is not lessened on repeated viewings. Jodi's character gains that much more poignance once we know about Dill, therefore when you watch the movie again, the opening scenes are that much more powerful. Finally I have to mention the great muusical score and an unforgettable story told by Jodi and then by Fergues about the frog and the scorpion that bookends the film. The Crying Game is a great film.
Rating: 
Summary: The truth of the movie out front (Gay)
Review: For us heterosexuals do NOT get this if on a date. To be honest up front, there is a she male involved that may get you queasy and uncomfortable. I was watching this movie with my wife and about fell out of my chair when an unsuspecting Irish guy pulls down the drawers of this "exotic" chick to find a dark dong in his face. Needless to say the guy threw up and the movie takes a weird spin from then on. Rent it.
Rating:
Summary: One of Jordan's best films along with "Mona Lisa"
Review: Still an amazing film over a decade later, The Crying Game continues to resonate with power due to its themes of obsession and redemption. Jordan's film plays tricks with its twisting plot structure and change in tone similar to its inspiration Vertigo. Stephen Rea plays Fergus a gunman for the IRA who helps take a soldier named Jody (Forest Whittaker) hostage. They plan on trading him for a senior member of the IRA being taken by the British. Fergus later becomes obsessed with Jody's girlfriend Dil (Jay Davidson) a hairdresser by day who performs in a bar in the evenings lip synching her favorite songs. Fergus begins to fall in love with Dil. Is it guilt that drives him into her arms? He's not sure. Suddenly, Fergus and Jude are thrust into the middle of the conflict between the IRA and the British. Fergus gets sucked into Jody's life and becomes obssessed with helping Dil and seeing more about the life of the man he kidnapped.
The plot is far more complex than the synopsis I've given. If you haven't seen the film (or heard about it), do yourself a favor to read as little about the plot as possible. While the surprises in the plot don't define the film's quality, they do involve the viewer in the story. So keep it simple and just rent the movie (or buy it if you've seen it before). With strong performances from Rea as the world weary Fergus, Richardson as the aggressive and hateful Jude, Whitaker as Jody and Davidson as Dil, The Crying Game demonstrates Jordan's uncanny skills as a storyteller and film director. The fact that it wasn't recognized with only an Oscar for writing is a crime considering what was released the same year.
With a crisp, clear image The Crying Game looks particularly good in this DVD transfer. The bright colors and grainy textures of the original film are well reproduced. Although the darker sequences of the film occasionally look a bit murky, the transfer looks exceptionally good overall. The 5.1 surround sound mix and 2.0 mix both have great presence.
We get the originally shot ending of the film which differs substantially from the final version. The BBC's Channel 4 originally agreed to back the film but only if Jordan would write and shoot a different ending from the final version (the one that's seen in the film is the original version as written). This version is included from a VHS rough assembly of the film so doesn't have the best picture quality but does provide an idea of what the film might have looked like. Northern Troubles is a documentary looking at Ireland from two different view points; an Irish Catholic and Protestant Loyalist who drove the filmmakers around to interview people about the making of the film. Interestingly, it provides considerable insight into the current and past political troubles of this beautiful country. Images of violence and conflict appear everywhere throughout the landscape. The Making of The Crying Game bundles together a number of featurettes to produce a documentary that provides a comprehensive look at the film's production. Featuring Stephen Rea, Neil Jordan and many of the principle production members, it can be viewed in one sitting or watched as individual featurettes. Stephen Wooley the producer of the film discusses the nasty reception that the film received at Cannes by American distributors.
There's also a discussion of Miramax's part in effectively marketing a very difficult film to an audience used to popcorn thrillers. Wooley discusses the press reception and how Miramax used this for a brilliant marketing campaign that captured the attention of audiences but also focusing encouraging viewers to not discuss the "secret" of the film. We also get the original trailer and a featurette on Madame Jojo's today.
Neil Jordan provides a comprehensive commentary track focusing on the visual images that inspired the story including the places from his childhood that showed up in the film. Jordan also discusses the twists in the plot so, by all means, watch the film prior to listening to it with the commentary track.
Lion's Gate has done a great job of updating and upgrading this terrific film for DVD. The previous version looked very good as well but the image quality in this anamorphic transfer gives it the edge. The inclusion of a commentary track, documentary and featurettes gives viewers an idea of the world that The Crying Game occurs in. The crisp, sharp image quality and overall transfer looks exceptionally good as well making this essential for fans of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: THE ENDING WE ALL WANTED!!!!
Review: Let me start by saying that I am a guy that loves his action, horror, sci-fi, explosion, special affect, mindless rollercoaster ride, types of movies; and have always had the sexist, narrow minded, ignorant, views concerning "Romantic Chick Flicks". However, (as much as I hate to say it) 'THE CRYING GAME', might well be one of my all time favorite movies. This movie relies on simply an awesome story, and acting, that will take ones breath away (in more ways than one). I believe this movie should be required viewing for any acting class, or any student of acting looking to broaden their skills, outside the contemporary norms. I truly believe the only reason JAYE DAVIDSON (who I would say played one of the most convincing and moving roles ive ever seen)didn't win the OSCAR was due to the fact that he embarassed the judges who pick the winners to this yearly Hollywood farce; in that he a virtual unknown, could come out of no where, and put on a performance that shook almost every person that watched the movie. Its funny, the hard part about talking about this movie is found in not wanting to give the "SPOILER" to those that havent seen it (thus I will wrap this up). The Collector's Edition is a gem, for in it we the many fans (and you know who you are) get to see the alternate ending we really wanted (well at least the one I wanted haha). Yet, after some consideration, I was left to understand (sadly) that Neil Jordan got it right the first time. So if you're like me and you've seen the 'GAME' more than once, or was left with a feeling of disappointment at the ending of the movie, check the COLLECTOR'S EDITION just to see what could have been. And to those who haven't seen it, if you are looking for a movie that will challenge everything you've ever believed in regards to love, sexuality, and the inner beauty of what makes us who and what we are, or simply want to see some of the most memorable acting that has ever graced the silver screen, make it a point to rent or buy this movie ASAP.
|
