The Crying Game

Name: The Crying Game
Genre: Thriller, Romance, Crime
Released: November 25, 1992
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Jaye Davidson, Stephen Rea

1992

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 80 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 80 Ratings

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The Crying Game

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: November 25, 1992 | R

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Jaye Davidson, Stephen Rea

Summary: A psychological thriller centering on the kidnapping of a British soldier by the IRA.

Director: Neil Jordan

Genre(s): Thriller, Romance, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Vincent Canby

Mr. Jordan's screenplay... is both efficient and ingenious. The physical production is as lush as the film's romantic longings. [26 Sept 1992] Read full review

100

Owen Gleiberman

By the time The Crying Game is over, you'll never look at beauty in quite the same way. Read full review

100

Peter Travers

Rea and Davidson are incomparably good in an exceptional film that is by turns darkly funny and deeply affecting. Though Jordan's control sometimes falters, it's a small price to pay for his daring. Read full review

Julie Salamon

Persistently upends expectations without insult, as it pulls you into a netherworld filled with yearning, whimsy, and danger. [15 Dec 1992, p.A16(E)]

Clifford Terry

A crackling good movie. [18 Dec 1992]

James Berardinelli

As is often the case with European films, the acting is superlative...The real standout, however, is newcomer Jaye Davidson, whose performance is, without exaggeration, stunning...Not to be missed. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

Jordan would like us to believe that the three films are stages in a metamorphosis, but the stitching shows… Part Two, explored and expanded, might have made a good film, especially since Davidson gives a quiet, knowledgeable, perfectly poised performance. [14 Dec 1992]

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User Reviews

enerof

Jan 23, 2007

Probably because the performance of Jaye Davidson which gives kick on the head and gaps!!! Without him, it will run flatly and forgettable. Salute for Stephen Rea, Jaye and Nell. You're awesome!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EpicLadySponge

Mar 21, 2016

Guys, I dare you to do something. Don't cry during the Crying Game. Let's bring in the entire audience and watch this one on our dares and try to survive the entire movie without crying.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Zeku

Dec 8, 2017

Personally I love this film. He is able to give a complete picture of Ireland's political situation and its struggle for independence, without making a clear distinction between good or bad.
At the same time he manages to weave a magnificent love story, which never touches the mawkish, thatPersonally I love this film. He is able to give a complete picture of Ireland's political situation and its struggle for independence, without making a clear distinction between good or bad.
At the same time he manages to weave a magnificent love story, which never touches the mawkish, that despite the difficulties can one day be realized and goes beyond prejudices.
A film that can teach a lot to each of us.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Compi24

Aug 29, 2014

Whether one slices it as an intense thriller, a tragic war film, or even a heartfelt human drama, "The Crying Game" is still a fantastic piece of emotional storytelling.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Feb 19, 2016

The Crying Game is a very well made film from Neil Jordan and though it is quite slow at times, the film's thought provoking offers on race, gender, nationality, and sexuality, are too good to pass up. Even if you do not like where the film goes, it is hard to admit it does not get thoseThe Crying Game is a very well made film from Neil Jordan and though it is quite slow at times, the film's thought provoking offers on race, gender, nationality, and sexuality, are too good to pass up. Even if you do not like where the film goes, it is hard to admit it does not get those gears in your head to spin a bit. Stephen Rea, Forest Whitaker, and Jaye Davidson, are all phenomenal in a film that covers its topics with great sensitivity and respect throughout. Some call this a psychological thriller or a mystery film. If we are being honest, I have no idea how this is possible. It is not really mysterious nor is it a thriller. To me, it was more of a romance film set during the troubles, which adds a flair of war and some intrigue, sure, but no mystery. Maybe they mean mysterious romance? I do not know, but regardless, The Crying Game is a very well made film with serious heart and passion that makes you think about the issues it raises.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

emeraldcity

Sep 5, 2014

There are not many films out there that have transgender people within their framework.There have been a few more in recent years but to be honest, to me they look about as unappealing as movies can get. Jaye Davidson is intriguing in TCG on a number of levels-his character poses theThere are not many films out there that have transgender people within their framework.There have been a few more in recent years but to be honest, to me they look about as unappealing as movies can get. Jaye Davidson is intriguing in TCG on a number of levels-his character poses the question probably quite unintentionally-is transgender all about sexual arrogance or is it about something else. We are not sure how to interpret Jaye's character or how to interpret Jaye for that matter either. That type of thing is a common effect pertaining to the subject of transgender in cinema in general-another transgender person-Caroline Cossey wrote a autobiography book called My Story where she alternately describes getting a sex change to consummate a monogamous relationship and then goes on to say that after the operation she went to Italy to 'have some fun' implying fun and games with multiple partners & that there was nobody special in her life at the time of her operation. To me, that is sexually ambiguous. Might sound like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill but there is nothing I hate more than not being able to pin down where someone is coming from. This movie is regarded as masterpiece of modern cinema noir but to me It kind of just exists, like a potato salad.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

BenBeans

Aug 17, 2022

This is the movie that began the journey that the best women is actually a man. The boyfriend who dies and asks the protagonist to take care of his "girl" points this out. And the one real woman in the movie gets shot in her breasts. Talk about g@y hatred of biological women - this movie isThis is the movie that began the journey that the best women is actually a man. The boyfriend who dies and asks the protagonist to take care of his "girl" points this out. And the one real woman in the movie gets shot in her breasts. Talk about g@y hatred of biological women - this movie is dripping with that innuendo.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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