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The Crying Game (1992)

Download Edit (3.7 GB) Edited Reaction Alongside the regular multi-part full, you now have the option of watching an edited version of the full movie reaction with 10-15mins

Comments

Thomas Corp

When I saw that this was in the series of nineties films you surprisingly have never seen, my thoughts were, “Actually, that’s not that surprising you haven’t seen The Crying Game.” I’m in the same boat as I only finally just saw this two days ago to prepare for the reaction. I was a year old when this came out. It never was on tv growing up, and I’ve only recently seen it pop up on tv. Mom’s never seen it. Dad, likewise, to my knowledge, never saw it. Not sure if my brother’s ever seen it. I only first became aware of it around college age. The video stores shut down around then, so I couldn’t rent it from that, though I don’t remember ever seeing it there. Nor in the college library, now I think about it, and they had a pretty good collection as a matter of fact. I don’t think it even has a blu-ray release, at least not in the states. Prior to my first start-to-finish viewing, I’ve only ever caught a tiny snippet of The Crying Game once two years ago. I went to the barber and was in the seat almost immediately. This was playing on the tvs during that visit. I realized what it was as I recognized the cast. It must have started shortly before I walked in because watching it this time, I had that “This where we came in.” moment, checked how long into the film it was, and said, “Oh, so I walked in early in the film that day.” Having finally seen the film, I quite enjoyed it, and I’m glad to see you quite liked it as well, Jess. It was “serving dra-MA!” as you succinctly described. To answer the one question that you asked: It was up for six Oscars including best picture. It won for original screenplay and lost in the other categories which to be fair, there was insanely STRONG competition that year. You mentioned kind of knowing that this was a thriller, same here. I knew that the plot somehow connected to the IRA. In terms of a feel, it’s a similar vibe to Neil Jordan’s other films, of which, I’m quite fond of and recommend Mona Lisa. As mentioned, I knew the cast in advance. Stephen Rea, I’ve seen in other things such as V for Vendetta, he was great in this. He and Forest Whitaker were impeccable in their scenes in the first act, as you observed that you were completely captivated by their scenes. It reminds me that it took too long for Forest to attain A-list status. Miranda Richardson was tremendous as she always is. Miranda was not nominated for this, though she was nominated the same year for the film Damage. Adrian Dunbar was good, and I’ll take anything of Jim Broadbent being delightful as always, here said delightfulness was his turn as the barkeep. Now to the part of the film that most everyone knows about going into it these days. Jaye Davidson was amazing as Dil. As Ryan says, Jaye was nominated for best supporting actor. (Which completely spoils the big twist.) Jaye sadly lost, though again, insanely STRONG competition that year. A big reason most people know about the twist in advance is that throughout the rest of the nineties, said twist was tastelessly parodied many times. One of the most prominent cases was in Ace Ventura, which felt bad even back when I first saw that in 2005, and watching it today, you think, “Jesus Christ, this fucking aged like milk.” It is therefore a pleasant surprise that the film is as nuanced about Dil’s character and plotline as it was. Like you said, I see Ryan commented the same, the film does show its age at spots; I hold a similar view of factoring in awareness back then compared to today. Even then, like you said, Dil is treated by the narrative as a very nuanced, sympathetic woman, and there is a lot of thought and care with her. Yes, it does hurt seeing the initial reaction to Dil allowing herself to be vulnerable, and to the film’s credit, it never claims his reaction was right. Everything you had to say about Dil, her plotline, and character, was very well spoken, Jess. I also loved one, your wanting Fergus to be honest with Dil, and two, your observations when he tries to disguise Dil. Jaye superbly portrayed Dil’s heartbreak and her trauma in that scene. Even if Fergus is doing it for her safety, it would still hurt, and I like the film acknowledging that. Your own thoughts, as I said, I loved, particularly when you were more comfortable when you learned why Fergus was doing it. And I stand by your assertion of violence occurring if you were out in public, and some man started wiping off your makeup. I wouldn’t doubt it, considering I remember you said in a Star Trek reaction that you’d claw a man’s eyes out if he tried to undo any work you put into your hair being arranged in some sort of up-do and/or fashionable style. Another small highlight of the reaction was when I anticipated your reaction to Dil chucking the bowl of goldfish out the window. I had a similar reaction, saying, “Wha, no don’t, not the goldfish, come on.” I liked your comment, “What did the goldfish do to you?” I understood everything you had to say both in the reaction, and in your post-reaction thoughts. No apologies are necessary. One, what you said were your immediate gut reactions, and two, you were still processing the film. And as I said, I loved everything you had to say, Jess. Your thoughts and comments were very well spoken. And I enjoyed seeing this film, I’m glad to have finally seen it, and it was most enjoyable sharing it with you, Jess, and I thank you for the terrific reaction.

Ryan

One other actor I have to point out is Whose Line Is It Anyway regular Tony Slattery as the construction boss. Ironically he really is Irish, playing a guy who tosses off anti-Irish slurs.

Dave Ford

I remember screening that as part of the film society I ran at university when it was released back in, well, an age ago - 93 maybe? It was a well regarded film at the time and I don't recall any prurient reaction to it. The 'big reveal' (ahem) was generally kept quiet about as to not spoil the movie by the media at the time. Not even sure of the tabloid press gave it much of a pasting even... I think the reaction at the time was more novelty than shock to be honest.