Review of ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL

ORDINARY, DECENT CRIMINAL

Heist, crime caper, Kevin Spacey, released 2000

Two men greet a third who is waiting outside a bank for it to open. The two then put on ski-masks and take out guns, and suggest the third man try a different branch. When a woman opens the bank doors, the two thieves say "Good morning. We're here to make a withdrawal." Everything nice and polite, and no one is injured.

The police know who is the perpetrator, MICHAEL LYNCH (Kevin Spacey), a flamboyant, 'ordinary, decent criminal' in his words, but they can't prove it. This infuriates them, in particular sergeant NOEL QUIGLEY, who is obsessed with catching Michael. One time when Quigley's men trying to search Michael, he screams they're sexually harassing him, pulls down his pants and moons them, to the delight of the crowd. 

Michael lives with his wives, LISA and CHRISTINE, two sisters (in separate houses, nothing  kinky) and with his many children. Except for his habit of taking money and property that belong to others, he's quite a nice guy and is somewhat of a folk hero for his ability to flaunt the authorities.

However, life becomes complicated when he steals a priceless CARAVAGGIO masterpiece from a museum because the painting is so difficult to fence. This gives Quigley his chance. Then his accomplices want to overthrow him. The IRA gets involved. How will Michael deal with these new problems?

Comparing Kevin Spacey's role as an Irish criminal to his role as southern politician in GAME OF CARDS shows this actor's impressive versatility. The story itself is a cliché--smart criminal befuddles dump cop--but it's a fun cliché with lots of action, humor and a cute ending twist. I give it ++++.  It will get your pulse up to a run.