The Crying Game is one of those films that is impossible to discuss more than casually without revealing spoilers. It's a good movie, and unique and interesting as well. Unless you have a general aversion to 'R' rated films with strong sexual themes, you should see the film first before reading any further.
Now that you've been warned, it can be told that the character of Dil is a man. Actually, this wasn't a surprise for me, and not only because I had previously heard about the closing credits of Hot Shots! Part Deux.
The film actually makes many allusions to Dil's true gender throughout its first half. Jody mentions that Jude isn't really his type, and that he is married to Dil 'in a way'. Further elaborations are vague and unfinished. Jody does call Fergus 'the handsome one', making particular note of his brown eyes.
At the club, two very attractive young women are prevented from entering the gay bar. The bartender tells Fergus that there's 'something he should know' about Dil. At another point, Dil pushes away Fergus's exploring hand. The theme song was a comeback hit by noted cross dresser Boy George. And then there's Dil himself, whose looks and manner aren't completely convincing.
The surprise for me in the scene, then, was that the male organ was prominently displayed. This is an extremely rare event even for films that have been rated 'R'. Half of the population may personally own one, but our culture has deemed that its actual appearance is revolting. It's fortunate, then, that it wasn't shown erect, in which case the theatrical audience would have joined Fergus in a stampede to the bathrooms to throw up.
I truly was shocked, however, by a different scene in the film. Dil and Jude have a violent confrontation in which Dil exacts a sadistic revenge. And gets away with it, breaking another film taboo. While Jude is the film's villainess, and a hardened terrorist as well, it seems that the real reason for Dil's anger is her gender and seductiveness. Is Dil jealous, and because Jude is better at being a woman? Fergus was just as complicit in Jody's capture and subsequent execution.
The film offers more for discussion than just its unusual depiction of a romance between a straight man and a transsexual. Writer and director Neil Jordan was born in Ireland, as was Stephen Rea, who has played a major role in most of Jordan's films. Both are Republican sympathizers. Rea is married to a former IRA bomber, while Jordan recently filmed a biography of Republican hero Michael Collins.
Yet The Crying Game is a pacifist film, condemning the vengeance and violence of an extremist IRA unit. Their targets are a naive, hapless British soldier, and 'some judge' who is so arthritic that it takes him several minutes to cross a street.
The Crying Game sometimes has a surreal side. Jody is annihilated by an army truck. This is a terrible tragedy, but the soldiers manning the tank completely ignore the accident. Now a construction worker, Fergus threatens to break the fingers of his boss. But he isn't fired, or even disciplined. Dil has a bizarre, abusive boyfriend. Jude also acts very strangely while stalking Dil and Fergus. Is she jealous of Dil? Or is she teasing Fergus because she knows Dil's 'secret'?
Jody keeps popping up in slow motion dream sequences, perhaps to remind Fergus of his guilt. It must be guilt that encourages Fergus' later actions, as he abandons the IRA and sacrifices himself to keep a promise made to Jody.
Character motivations are suspect, and character behavior is inconsistent throughout. For example, Dil shows no hint of violence until the finale. Fergus is full of hatred in the opening scenes, then becomes Mr. Nice Guy. Still, The Crying Game is a worthwhile experience despite its problems.
The Academy Awards thought so as well. Neil Jordan's script won an Oscar, and he was also nominated as director. The film was nominated for Best Picture, and Stephen Rea received a nomination for Best Actor. Jaye Davidson, making his film debut, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The Crying Game also received a pile of British Academy Award nominations, including a Best Supporting Actress nod for Miranda Richardson. (67/100)
Political Thriller DVD - In this successful psychological thriller, a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just are...More at Barnes and Noble
The Crying Game is the unpredictable, unconventional, multi-Oscar-nominated masterpiece that has become the sleeper hit of the year. Starring Stephen ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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