"The General" is the affectionate moniker for the ringleader of a small-time gang of second-story men and hoods in one of Dublin, Ireland's worst slums. This neo-"Robin Hood" yarn from writer-director John Boorman is a cheeky portrait of a neighborhood hero.
It will have admirers in Great Britain, surely, as well as in blighted economic regions where its wrong-side-of-the-tracks sensibility will appeal. Despite its intermittent comedy and frisky narrative, however, "The General" is unlikely to heist much of anything at the U.S. boxoffice.
One of the more entertaining competition films, "The General" brims with quirky humor and lands some anti-establishment darts. The story marches best when on a light, comic course and founders when pretending to offer social insight or political commentary.
In general, "The General" is lightweight amusement few will likely confuse with solid sociology.
Brendan Gleeson stars as Martin Cahill, a teddy bear of a man who takes special pride in making fools of the police. Martin has enjoyed this since his boyhood, when he perfected his petty theft skills, later maturing to high-level jewelry store break-ins.
A burly, good-humored chap, Martin possesses superb leadership qualities. He addresses his ranks much like a military leader but, fittingly, his parade ground is a pool hall. His not-so-merry men are a hardscrabble lot unqualified to be much of anything but unskilled criminals. Better than Robin Hood, Martin has two merry maidens, bedding down not only with his wife Maria Doyle Kennedy) but also with his wife's comely sister (Angeline Ball).
Boorman shows a cruel, callous side to Martin, but his shortcomings are glossed over with the usual excuses -- poor childhood, no father figure. That Martin is shrewd enough to manipulate the law to jibe with his disadvantages further clues us to his darker innards. Still, "The General" is clever fun, especially in its Keystone Kops-like escapades as Martin duels with an intrepid police inspector (Jon Voight).
Shot in black and white, the film's keen color gradations make strong thematic points, a credit to cinematographer Seamus Deasy's psychologically sharp eye. Other technical contributions are high-ranking, particularly composer Richie Buckley's smudgy, withering sounds and editor Ron Davis' creative transitions.
Medals of honor to all the players, particularly Gleeson for his appealingly swarthy performance as the charismatic criminal and Voight for his wonderfully weary portrayal of the patient policeman. Both Kennedy and Ball conjure up the conflicted emotions of women who must share a man.
THE GENERAL
Merlin Films presents
a film by John Boorman
CREDITS:
Producer-screenwriter-director:John Boorman
Executive producer:Kieran Corrigan
Director of photography:Seamus Deasy
Production designer:Derek Wallace
Music:Richie Buckley
Editor:Ron Davis
Costume designer:Maeve Paterson
Casting director:Jina Jay
CAST:
Martin Cahill:Brendan Gleeson
Noel Curley:Adrian Dunbar
Gary:Sean McGinley
Frances:Maria Doyle Kennedy
Tina:Angeline Ball
Inspector Ned Kenny:Jon Voight
Jimmy:Eanna McLiam
Running Time: 125 minutes...
It will have admirers in Great Britain, surely, as well as in blighted economic regions where its wrong-side-of-the-tracks sensibility will appeal. Despite its intermittent comedy and frisky narrative, however, "The General" is unlikely to heist much of anything at the U.S. boxoffice.
One of the more entertaining competition films, "The General" brims with quirky humor and lands some anti-establishment darts. The story marches best when on a light, comic course and founders when pretending to offer social insight or political commentary.
In general, "The General" is lightweight amusement few will likely confuse with solid sociology.
Brendan Gleeson stars as Martin Cahill, a teddy bear of a man who takes special pride in making fools of the police. Martin has enjoyed this since his boyhood, when he perfected his petty theft skills, later maturing to high-level jewelry store break-ins.
A burly, good-humored chap, Martin possesses superb leadership qualities. He addresses his ranks much like a military leader but, fittingly, his parade ground is a pool hall. His not-so-merry men are a hardscrabble lot unqualified to be much of anything but unskilled criminals. Better than Robin Hood, Martin has two merry maidens, bedding down not only with his wife Maria Doyle Kennedy) but also with his wife's comely sister (Angeline Ball).
Boorman shows a cruel, callous side to Martin, but his shortcomings are glossed over with the usual excuses -- poor childhood, no father figure. That Martin is shrewd enough to manipulate the law to jibe with his disadvantages further clues us to his darker innards. Still, "The General" is clever fun, especially in its Keystone Kops-like escapades as Martin duels with an intrepid police inspector (Jon Voight).
Shot in black and white, the film's keen color gradations make strong thematic points, a credit to cinematographer Seamus Deasy's psychologically sharp eye. Other technical contributions are high-ranking, particularly composer Richie Buckley's smudgy, withering sounds and editor Ron Davis' creative transitions.
Medals of honor to all the players, particularly Gleeson for his appealingly swarthy performance as the charismatic criminal and Voight for his wonderfully weary portrayal of the patient policeman. Both Kennedy and Ball conjure up the conflicted emotions of women who must share a man.
THE GENERAL
Merlin Films presents
a film by John Boorman
CREDITS:
Producer-screenwriter-director:John Boorman
Executive producer:Kieran Corrigan
Director of photography:Seamus Deasy
Production designer:Derek Wallace
Music:Richie Buckley
Editor:Ron Davis
Costume designer:Maeve Paterson
Casting director:Jina Jay
CAST:
Martin Cahill:Brendan Gleeson
Noel Curley:Adrian Dunbar
Gary:Sean McGinley
Frances:Maria Doyle Kennedy
Tina:Angeline Ball
Inspector Ned Kenny:Jon Voight
Jimmy:Eanna McLiam
Running Time: 125 minutes...
- 5/20/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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