Ordinary Decent Criminal
Synopsis
Ordinary Decent Criminal is a classic gangster movie, which takes place in modern day Ireland. It follows the extraordinary adventures of an ordinary decent criminal - a man who robs from the rich but lives with the poor. He loves his two wives, sisters Christine and Lisa, his wild kids, his gang and, above all, his special way of life.
Michael is a suave, sardonic and sexy man: a criminal who strides the Dublin streets like a colossus. He dreams up robberies with hallmark panache which seldom fail to endear him to the crowd. He challenges authority at every turn, culminating in the ultimate art theft from Dublin's most prestigious art gallery when he outwits the police, Interpol and even the rest of the criminal fraternity.
Michael is driven by two fundamental beliefs: be loyal to your own and to hell with the establishment. He succeeds so well that what starts as a laugh evolves into something else. He begins to enjoy the sting more than the cash, and the notoriety most of all. As his ego drives him on, the police, in particular Noel Quigley, become determined to break him.
The police close in, increasing their harassment pressure on the whole gang, Michael makes a mistake that could break him, threatening his good name with the public, and his reliability as a bread winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up a final grand scheme to dazzle - and survive the trap that has been set for him . . .
Details
- Year
- 1999
- Type of project
- Features
- Format
- 35mm Kodak
- Director
-
Thaddeus O'Sullivan
- Producer
- James Mitchell
- Executive Producer
- James Mitchell
- Director of Photography
- Andrew Dunn
- Principal cast
- Kevin Spacey, Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, Stephen Dillane, Helen Baxendale, David Hayman, Patrick Malahide
- Screen Writer
- Gerard Stembridge
Genre
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Little Bird Productions in association with Tatfilm & Trigger Street Productions with participation of the Greenlight Fund, Irish Film Board and Filmstiftung NRW
Sales Company
Icon Int. Entertainment 37 Soho Square London W1V 5DG Tel: 020 7543 4300 Fax: 020 7543 4301
Page updates
This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.
See also
You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.
No Women No Children
Director: Akporé Uzoh
Year: 2026
The aftermath of a sexual assault (rape). Exploring the deep-felt consequences for all involved. At its heart an epic story of a couple's fight for the survival of their love.
Monsters
Director: Andy Field, Beckie Darlington
Year: 2025
Created in collaboration with local children in one of the most environmentally fragile areas of the UK, this experimental documentary repurposes the tropes of Hollywood monster movies to explore young people’s real feelings and fears through an imaginary framework. This fantasy apocalypse becomes a safe space for the children to reflect on adaptation, resilience and an uncertain future.
A Weekend Away
Director: Rob Reed
Year: 2022
Friends and family reunite to celebrate a surprise 40th birthday over a relaxing weekend getaway. Tensions arise, conflicts resurface, and secrets are revealed, turning their weekend into a turbulent journey of self-discovery and redemption.