Review of The Crying Game (1992) by Rameshwar I — 26 May 2016

While it is famously known for its unexpected twist (though something doesn't feel right all along, one wouldn't expect it happen and with such graphic display), there are a lot more interesting elements to keep the audience invested throughout its runtime. It is very difficult to categorize the story into a specific genre as it touches different themes like conflicts between loyalty and affinity, sexuality, loneliness and monophobia with great ease and finesse. Another big positive is its masterful screenplay which binds many different storylines without rushing or underdeveloping any aspect and at the same time expertly placing beautiful moments at strategic places.

Jody (Forest Whitaker), a British soldier gets seduced into a trap laid by IRS and becomes a hostage where he befriends one of his captors Fergus (Stephen Rea) who mutually responds to the affinity. A day comes when Fergus has to execute Jody but couldn't because of their bonding and Jody makes a run for it realizing that but gets crushed by an incoming tank of the British army who eventually annihilate the IRS camp. Assuming everyone to be dead, Fergus moves to Britain and starts living an anonymous life while looking for Dil (Jaye Davidson), who Jody mentions to be very special and requests Fergus to meet her. Fergus has to cope up with Dil's secret and his past catching up to him.

Performances: Forest Whitaker starts off the proceedings well with a charismatic role with a small screentime that needs to be remembered throughout the movie. The mantle is carried forward excellently by Stephen Rea but the eventual showstopper is a career defining performance by Jaye Davidson as Dil with varying character arcs who is confident yet vulnerable and longing yet stubborn. Also a special mention goes to the bartender who plays an entertaining role. The rest of the actors does a decent job, they may not have layered characterizations but they settle into their roles well.

Filmmaking: From the outset it looks like a slow building drama while the brilliance lies in its writing which brings various themes, story arcs and characters with such smoothness that it takes time to realize that the course of the story has changed from time to time. The director knows his winning moments as he invests enough of his runtime for such scenes which actually lingers on audience minds long after watching the movie. Almost always a conventional successful story is one which makes the audience to look forward to know how it concludes - 'Crying Game' is no different but with its unconventional theme and background it also adds an element of mystery and suspense making it even better. The background score does a great job by staying in the background, it is neither intrusive nor out of key and blends well with the proceedings on the screen.

A slow building multi-layered original drama with beautiful moments and unexpected twists.