The Crying Game

1992

The Crying Game

Critics Consensus

The Crying Game is famous for its shocking twist, but this thoughtful, haunting mystery grips the viewer from start to finish.

94%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 67

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 31,780
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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 his prisoner. Jody makes Fergus promise him that if he dies, Fegus will look in on his girlfriend, Dil (Jaye Davidson), and see if she's all right. Jody escapes, and Fergus doesn't have the heart to shoot him; as fate would have it, Jody runs from the woods into a street only to be run over by a British police vehicle, which then flushes out the IRA compound. Fergus escapes to London, where he's wanted by the law for Jody's kidnapping and also by his former girlfriend, IRA operative Jude (Miranda Richardson), who thinks he knows too much to fall into the hands of the British authorities. Good to his word, Fergus tracks down Dil, and soon the two outcasts find themselves entering into a love affair, although Fergus discovers that Dil is not the sort of woman he thought she was. Writer/director Neil Jordan won an Academy Award for his screenplay; the title song, which was a U.K. hit for Dave Berry in 1965, was re-recorded for the film by one-time Culture Club vocalist Boy George with backing by the Pet Shop Boys. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Cast

Stephen Rea
as Fergus
Jaye Davidson
as Dil
Miranda Richardson
as Jude
Forest Whitaker
as Jody
Jim Broadbent
as Col
Ralph Brown
as Dave
Adrian Dunbar
as Maguire
Breffini McKenna
as Tinker
Susie Figgis
Joe Savino
as Eddie
Birdy Sweeney
as Tommy
Birdie Sweeney
as Tommy
Andree Bernard
as Jane
Breffni McKenna
as Tinker
Tony Slattery
as Deveroux
Jack Carr
as Franknum
Andre Bernard
as Jane
Brian Coleman
as Judge
Chris Rea
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Critic Reviews for The Crying Game

All Critics (67) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (63) | Rotten (4)

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Audience Reviews for The Crying Game

  • Nov 29, 2014
    The Crying Game is an example of a film that has crumbled under the weight of its age. Though it can still be appreciated for the shock it carried upon its release, it's got precious little to retain the attention of modern viewers who've become accustomed to the twists and turns of mystery cinema.
    Isaac H Super Reviewer
  • Jul 27, 2012
    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.
    Jonathan H Super Reviewer
  • Apr 06, 2012
    Its cinematography and look is refreshing, yet its originally unique twists quickly become tedious, especially in the rather awkward 3rd act, which seemed to drag on forever. "The Crying Game" briefly touches on thoughtful themes of human compassion conquering all and of the confines of our nature. Sadly, I found its romantic center too redundantly inhibitory and its action scenes far too sparse.
    Edward S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 10, 2012
    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.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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