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The General
1998
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criminal
interesting
astonishing
instinctive
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72 %
82 %
Certified Fresh
$ 0 Million
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The General
Positive Reviews
25
Negative reviews
3
Average Rating
3.8
/5
criminal
interesting
astonishing
instinctive
All
Positive
Negative
3.2
In Boormans hands, our perception of Martin Cahill doesnt deepen as the movie goes on, and thats because Boorman, on his most instinctive level, doesn ..
EW
4.4
Boormans film is shot in wide screen black and white, and as it often does, black and white emphasizes the characters and the story, instead of settin ..
Rogerebert
1.5
A movie that says more about the rebellious Irish psyche than a heap of overtly political pictures.
Variety
4.5
All the performances are impressive, but Gleeson and Voight are especially memorable, lending an almost tragic air of inexorability to Cahill and Kenn ..
Time Out
3.5
But Cahills story outlandish and contradictory as it is in Boormans retelling made me think, feel, and reflect more than any crime themed movie Ive se ..
5.0
CAUTIOUS ADMIRATION Ironic and slightly detached, The General doesnt judge Cahill but seems to cautiously admire his independence, style and remarkabl ..
San Francisco Chronicle
3.8
The General is sharply written, by Boorman, but its fascination lies in the contrast between the energetic, almost goofy performance by Gleeson.
San Francisco Chronicle
4.5
A notorious Irish crime lord serves as a mirror for the worst that is in others in this psychologically rich drama.
Spirituality And Practice
3.8
But as with any Hollywood film of a famous criminal, theres a lot of sanitizing going on.
Rogers Movie Nation
3.8
Veteran director John Boorman weaves together real life incidents and fictional anecdotes to create a fascinating portrait of a man who was both more ..
ReelViews
5.0
It ranks with Boormans own classic crime film PointBlank (1967), and thats high praise.
Combust Ible Celluloid
1.5
I can no longer stomach the premise in so many Anglo American crime pictures that mavericks are admirable simply because theyre mavericks
Chicago Reader
3.8
An interesting, entertaining view into the life of an Irish crime legend who is almost a Robin Hood, but not quite.
3.5
This probably wouldnt have been such a thought provoking film if it hadnt been based on a true story.
Lariat
4.5
The General is pure cinema, a darkly comic trip into the hidden places.
Film Journal International ..
4.5
The film is full of wonderful surprises, not the least of which is the dark, and at times hilarious, script as well as a slew of terrific performances
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
4.4
An astonishing and captivating portrait of an iconoclastic criminal.
Internet Reviews
4.0
The General is an original take on the crime genre, photographed in black and white and cleverly edited to underscore its title characters status as a ..
Internet Reviews
4.5
though this is one of Boormans lighter works, it still has plenty of violence, colorful language and raging testosterone...
Internet Reviews
3.1
The force of Cahills personality draws you to the screen and rivets your attention.
Internet Reviews
4.5
Instead, hes come up with a portrait of Cahill thats much darker one thats restless, searching.
Salon
4.5
But if finally Cahill doesnt seem large or interesting enough to justify Boormans fascination, its still quite an amazing film.
1.5
Its too bad Marvin isnt still around, to at least knock some sense into his old friend, Boorman.
Flim Threet
3.1
Enjoyable for what it is; problem is, what it is doesnt amount to much in the end.
Mr Brown Movies
3.8
Hes not a charming cat burglar, and hes not a criminal mastermind.
Movie Habit
4.4
The film has little of the visual dazzle often associated with Boormans movies, but the somber, black and white cinematography helps even out the ofte ..
Movies Tv Guide
2.5
I think if you look objectively at this rogue, he is rotten to the core; or, as Voight more appropriately says, hes a scumbag.
Dennis Schwartz Reviews
4.5
The General is a welcome return to basics for Britains most adventurous and visionary director, who has always stayed faithful to his love of cinema.
Film 4
3.8
Neither Boormans cinematic expertise nor Gleesons canny performance is enough to make us care about Cahills destruction.
Courier-Journal (Louisvill ..
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The General