Being the Kevin Spacey fan that I am, I've been awaiting word on this film for quite some time, and getting it from England is an interesting way of hearing about it. Usually we Yanks get all the test screenings, but it's great to hear about the testing in the UK... So here we go... Warning though, they do go into the plot quite a bit, they both like it though Pauly was a bit more mixed on it...
Ordinary Decent Criminal (Miramax) Test Screening - Planet Hollywood, London
Well hello there....let us introduce ourselves as Pauly and David, two long time AICN readers with our take on todays (26/05/99) test screening of Kevin Spacey and Linda Fiorentinos latest offering from Miramax, Ordinary Decent Criminal. Fist let me, Pauly set the scene and give you my view, then David shall no doubt put his opinions across.
There we were sat in Leicester Square, having just completed a TV interview regarding our website ‘The Phantom Menace UK’ (www.thephantommenace.co.uk ...there got it in!) surveying the London beauty whilst enjoying the sun when up ran a vision of loveliness asking us if we had time to see a film at Planet Hollywood Restaurant, just around the corner. Needless to say we volunteered and followed her down into the restaurant, past the toilets and into a great little THX equipped cinema in the basement. Things got better when ourselves and the other 40 or so members of the public there were told we were to see the new Kevin Spacey feature ‘Ordinary Decent Criminal’.
Unfortunately I can not fill you in on specifics as we went straight into the feature, all I can tell you is that it is to be distributed by Miramax, seems to be a UK production, and is to be released in ‘3-4 months time’.
The story? Spacey plays Michael Lynch, a Belfast master criminal, and leader of a small group of theives who are constantly outwitting the Garda (Irish police) and any other gangs who become involved in their handiwork. Fiorentino plays his wife, who is in on everything, even the fact that Spacey is having an affair with her sister, played by well-known British actress Helen Baxendale....infact it seems that this love-triangle has been the norm for them since day one. Why this is we don’t know, but it adds to the ‘lovable wide-boy’ image of Spacey’s character and isn’t particularly important plot-wise. Despite the unusual relationship home life blossoms and seems to have positivley benefitted from the situation with a very stable group of children present in many scenes.
The film itself doesn’t really build up to one heist, rather a number of robberys in which Lynch and his gang exhibit their proficiency at outwitting their opposition. We see the gang stealing gold bullion, a jewelery factory and a priceless Carravagio painting from a national art gallery. All the robberies are well executed in their simplicity, which means they can be explained by narration as the action takes place.
All these victories make him enemy number 1 in the Gardas eyes, one of whom, Noel, has become obsessed with catching Lynch. They also attract the attention of the IRA who claim that Lynch is doing jobs they have had their eye on, and as a result mid-film the IRA representative applies pressure to Lynch to hand over the spoils ‘or else’. Lynch takes the view that the IRA, or any other political faction are too stupid to have done such masterful work, and shuns them. Unfortunately members of his gang are not so sure and things slowly begin to unravel.
From time to time Lynch is picked up by the law, for questioning or trial, and by charm or bribery always seems to get out just in time for the next planned robbery, whilst evading the police who are keeping their eye on him. The film builds up to a situation whereby the gang is scattered, both in their loyalties and geographically, and Michael, by choice, ends up in a bank being held up by the IRA guy. With the bank surrounded by armed police, a gunfight ensues, with one individual being shot in the face, thus rendering him unreceognisable. Is it Michael? We the audience are in on Michaels tricks all the time and therefore are aware that it is the IRA guy, but the Garda, of course, think it is and he is laid to rest after being identified by his wife and sister (who, by seeing the corpses penis know it is not him). Michael escapes yet again.
My opinions? Firstly most of the acting is great. Spacey performs well, with a pretty faultless Irish accent (from what little I know) and is solid throughout exuding charm and a cheeky grin whenever trouble appears. Fiorentino is also good, although her less convincing accent made me wonder why the sisters parts were given to non-Irish actresses. Baxendale seems to have little to do, and attractive as she is, quite why Michael would go with her when he has a smouldering Linda Fiorentino at home who seems quite willing to meet his every sexual request is quite beyond me. The supporting cast are also convincing from Noel (cannot remember who plays him...British actor, about 27 I guess) the obsessed policeman, to the gang themselves (some familiar faces for viewers of UK TV here).
For me the films weaknesses lay in character development and editing. Key characters seemed to change their motivation at key points of the film, without letting the audience in on it...which was frustrating as we had been given access to almost all other aspects of Michaels life. About two-thirds of the way into the 105 minute film Spacey displays agression on a Social Security clerk who refuses him his money. We never find out why Michaels unemployment benefit is so important and this event is, on reflection, just there to show us Michael can be a violent man in preperation for the very bloody final heist with graphic shootings. The Garda officer, Noel, goes from being obsessed with capturing Michael to suddenly letting him off the hook and admiring him in the final 5 minutes of the film.
The editing seems to propell the plot along at a very quick rate, the cost being that many scenes are not telegraphed in any way, and I think this is probably where character development has suffered.
The very few instances of violence appear without forewarning, with the previously mentioned shooting at the films climax being a case in point - from a well planned bank robbery we are suddenly shown a guy having his face literally caved in by bullets, Saving Private Ryan style, in order that Michael may get off the hook....although quite how he knew this guy would be rendered unidentifiable by the police shooting, thus leaving him free to escape is pushing the realms of possiblity a little.
What came across as a pretty individual film, for me, was thus spoiled by a lack of dynamic characterisation and an acceptance that only Hollywood style pyrotechnics and gun play would be the way to get our guy home and dry.
Politically the film walks no particular line - rather like last years ‘The General’, which is quite refreshing as noone wants another ‘Devils Own’. The soundtrack was generally good, although I think it was a temp track, as I cannot believe they would accompany a bank robbery scene with The Clash’s ‘Bankrobber’ and a scene of criminals having fun with ‘Fun Loving Criminals’.
All in all a mixed 6 out of 10.
Pauly
Thank you Pauly, my friend. ditto on most of the points, a thoroughly enjoyable film however it was spoiled for me in one major way.
The lights dimmed and up came the fairly inocuous Miramax titles followed by the introduction to Spacey’s Michael. It took me a good 20 mins to get Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise’s takes on the Irish brogue out of my mind and feel comfortable with Michael’s accent. Once this was achieved Michael is reminded by one of his children that he was promised a bedtime story(untrue), the child is reprimanded and reminded that you never lie to your family and must be loyal, and there unfolds a gut-wrenchingly patronising take on Irish family life. Que, flashback involving a permed Spacey defending his rundown council house and extended family from the baliffs through thick and thin until the town mayor begs him to leave and offers him 2 new houses “ I won “ was the outcome, thus establishing the kind of family loyalty that was inevitably to be abused at some point during the film.
Lo, following the next robbery, gold goes missing and one of the gang members is implicated, promptly tracked down and left hanging from a car 10 ft above the ground with his fingers slammed in the door. Lovely.
My favourite scene was the stealing of the paintings with Michael and cohorts dressed as American tourists entering the gallery. The green light being signalled by a kiss to Michael’s cheek in the style of one of the paintings. The ensuing car chase through the streets of Belfast with the priceless painting being used as a shield to prevent the Garda firing shots was most enjoyable, but what can I say I am a simple man etc...
Another, rather obvious scene was after the finale,( following the identification by Michaels’ girlfriends, of the faceless IRA members member) involving Michael stopping at a remote shop deep in Ireland and not being able to resist stealing a bar of chocolate, followed by a ride on a motorcycle off into the cloud-set. This happens just as Noel discovers a postcard on his car depicting the Caravaggio painting and quips ‘you can’t live without us’ Very obvious but enjoyable.
Apart from these minor gripes the scripting was fast, funny and held my attention throughout, get past the lack of Irish born actors and you’ll enjoy another great Spacey film.
7 out of 10.
David.
