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The Crying Game (1992)

tomatometer

100

Average Rating: 9.2/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0

No consensus yet.

audience

76

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 29,849

My Rating

Movie Info

In this successful psychological thriller, a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just aren't who you expect them to be. Fergus (Stephen Rea) is an IRA "volunteer" who, despite personal misgivings, takes part in the kidnapping of a black British soldier, Jody (Forest Whitaker), stationed in Northern Ireland. The IRA hopes to use Jody as a bargaining chip to win the release of IRA operatives behind bars, but, while guarding Jody, Fergus becomes fast friends with

R,

Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense

Neil Jordan

Jan 13, 1998

Live Home Video

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Cast

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All Critics (46) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (0) | DVD (9)

This thriller gives you an entertaining run for your money and some offbeat frissons along the way.

February 13, 2012 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

After luring us into what appears to be a classic they-gazed-at-each-other-across-an-empty-bar romantic setup, Jordan undermines our expectations so thoroughly that it's as if we've rediscovered our innocence as moviegoers.

September 7, 2011 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An astonishingly good and daring film that richly develops several intertwined thematic lines, The Crying Game takes giant risks that are stunningly rewarded.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Tthe film does work, raises a plethora of questions concerning loyalty, violence and the nature of desire, and is in some respects a summation of the various themes that have emerged from Jordan's work.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The physical production is as lush as the film's romantic longings.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The Crying Game ventures into such exquisitely unique territory that you feel giddy from the pleasure of being allowed to travel along.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Review Those unacquainted with The Crying Game should note that it is well acted, original in intent rather than execution, and in possession of a narrative about-turn so insane that the film is guaranteed a place in cinematic history.

February 13, 2012 Full Review Source: Film4
Film4

Neil Jordan's daring, mesmerizing film combines a Hitchcockian thriller and a spellbinding love story with a twist set against intriguing political circumstances; don't reveal the ending to your friends.

April 26, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

The Crying Game's effectiveness comes not from the big reveal, but from the expertly crafted story that frames it and makes it into a meaningful reversal rather than a sudden isolated shock.

October 6, 2006 Full Review Source: AV Club
AV Club

A finely-acted, sensitively-written tale of an IRA gunman finding some sort of redemption in the arms of a British soldier's lover.

August 2, 2006 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine
Empire Magazine

Even if you know the big surprise, it's a compelling drama

January 11, 2004
Kalamazoo Gazette

A spindly, absorbing thriller about politics, ethics, sexuality, and the looseness of identity.

August 17, 2003
Nick's Flick Picks

Neil Jordan at his best.

August 14, 2003
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The Crying Game pulls off a tremendously difficult technical feat; its screenplay contains not one, but two, wrenching twists, each of which could easily derail the narrative in the hands of a lesser storyteller.

July 30, 2003 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Now wildly overrated, but a very good little mystery story.

April 29, 2003
San Francisco Examiner

It is original, well-written, well-photographed, well-acted, extremely well-directed and very poignant.

March 23, 2003 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope
Laramie Movie Scope

A corker from start to finish with its exploration of the choices which define the soul.

August 21, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice
Spirituality and Practice

Got too much buzz because of the ending but despite the hype, still a pretty good movie. And Jaye Davidson has a purty mouth.

August 8, 2002
KJB
IGN Movies

Extremely original masterpiece in British cinema

August 1, 2002

Not as great as all that, but certainly engaging enough.

July 25, 2002
eFilmCritic.com

Don't read any more reviews. This is a tough film to review without revealing any of the plot twists. Word is going to get around soon about this film. See it first. And don't tell anyone else either.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Audience Reviews for The Crying Game

Mostly known for "the big reveal," which is kind of a shame, since there are quite a few different intriguing elements in Neil Jordan's mediation on sexual politics. Also, is there a more quietly effective actor than Stephen Rea? Not many other actors can be both understated and powerful the way he can.
July 27, 2012
JonathanHutchings
Jonathan Hutchings

Super Reviewer

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.
August 8, 2010
FrizzDrop

Super Reviewer

    1. Dil: Details, baby, details.
    – Submitted by Karen D (11 months ago)
    1. Dil: Y'see, I'm not a young thing any longer.... Funny the way things go. Don't you find that, Jimmy? Never the way you expected.
    – Submitted by Tayro A (15 months ago)
    1. Jody: ...and as they both sink beneath the waves, the frog cries out, "Why did you sting me, Mr. Scorpion? For now we both will drown!" Scorpion replies, "I can't help it. It's in my nature!
    – Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)
    1. Fergus: Have you ever tried to pick up your teeth with broken fingers?
    – Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)

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