|, April 25, 2003 Regal and the Terms and Policies, He cleaned out the city's most prestigious jewellers, even though they had a reputation for being impregnable. | "The General" is the nickname of the real-life, contemporary Irish criminal, Martin Cahill. The General is a welcome return to basics for Britain's most adventurous and visionary director, who has always stayed faithful to his love of cinema. We see that he is a man who will exact punishment on those who cross him, but asks for forgiveness from those he wrongfully accuses. Shot in black and white the movie has a gritty realism that doesn't glamorize Cahill and his gang. |, June 11, 2012 Movie reviews for The General. In terms of acting, direction and entertainment value, the general certainly delivers. Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Angeline Ball. Eye For Film >> Movies >> The General (1998) Film Review The General. ", Very funny, enjoyable tale that is equal handed if a little sentimental. Apparently, I was amazed when it turned out about some legendary Irish criminal who pulled out heists outwitting the legal authorities. What is unique about this criminal that we haven't seen before besides his physique (compare Gleeson to George Clooney's Danny Ocean)? Adrian Dunbar plays Noel, the gang's deputy chief, with his usual ease and charm, despite having nothing much to do. If you asked me to name a good gangster movie, I'd have dozens to choose from. John Boorman's 'The General' was always going to be a controversial movie and a tough sell for its filmmakers. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. But after a while, I got used to it. Like with any movie genre, there are good gangster movies and there are bad gangster movies. The character of Martin Cahill is not portrayed accurately in the film as he is seen as a likeable rogue whereas the real General was a brutal, horrific thug who despite all the interesting facets to his personality, was ultimately beyond redemption. | The General was nominated for and won several awards, including Best Director at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics. ©2006-2020 Eye For Film. And quite a brave one for that matter, when the beginning describes him as a legend. Inspector Ned Kenny (Jon Voight) is the exception, although his role as nemesis has little dramatic force. Cahill is the perfect anti-hero, and with Boorman's decision to show us the ending at the beginning - we know that he ultimately pays the ultimate price for his crimes. Martin Cahill had many aspects to his life that could have easily become the fodder for an over zealous director. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Voight stands out, when he should have slipped in unrecognised, only emphasising the lack of characterisation. Boorman stuck to a non-star cast, as a matter of principal (or finance). Black-and-white photography makes you miss colour. | Fresh (40) Yet as a writer, he has brought us quality films such as Excalibur, and Hope & Glory. | Rating: 2.5/4 awards for best director and best actor. Cahill, history tells us, was a vicious thug - his only redeeming qualities, Boorman tells us, were his love for his family and comrades.