Ordinary Decent Criminal is a 2000 crime/comedy film, directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan, adapted from a novel by Lionel Shriver. The film was originally meant to be about Martin Cahill, a famous Irish crime lord. However the plot was adapted after they learned that John Boorman was already making a film about him, titled The General.

Plot

Michael Lynch is one of Dublin's most notorious criminals. He has two wives, Christine and Lisa (they are also sisters), as well as many children. When he isn't spending time with his family, he is plotting heists with his gang. His actions make him an iconic figure, and he has a rapport with the general public despite being a criminal.

During his elaborate heists, he concentrates on the showmanship as much as the crime itself. He pulls off a daring art theft, stealing several priceless paintings from Dublin's best art gallery, giving the authorities the slip. The police become more determined to catch him as time goes on, in particular Noel Quigley, an officer whose ambition to catch Lynch becomes an obsession. His actions also gain the ire of the IRA.

Lynch finds himself in trouble when he is unable to sell a stolen Caravaggio painting, giving Quigley the opportunity he was waiting for to try and catch him. Lynch is forced to go on the run, with his popularity with the public at stake.

Tagline: Michael just loves taking the law into his own hands!

Cast

• Kevin Spacey – Michael Lynch
• Linda Fiorentino – Christine Lynch
• Peter Mullan — Stevie
• Stephen Dillane – Noel Quigley
• Helen Baxendale – Lisa
• David Hayman – Tony Brady
• Patrick Malahide – Commissioner Daly
• Gerard McSorley – Harrison
• David Kelly – Fr Grogan
• Gary Lydon – Tom Rooney
• Paul Ronan – Billy Lynch
• Colin Farrell – Alec
• Vincent Regan – Shay Kirby
• Tim Loane – Jerome Higgins
• Christoph Waltz – Peter

See also

• 2000 in film

External links

2000 films | Crime films | Irish films