THE GENERAL (1998)
JOHN BOORMAN
Gangster/MobBiopicTrue Stories1980sNigel's ChoiceCannes WinnersArt HouseThrillerRobberies, Burglaries & HeistsDave B's Must SeesRecommended
Plot
John Boorman's brilliant, black and white biopic of legendary Dublin hardman Martin Cahill. Admirably managing to stay morally neutral, The General gives us a condensed picture of Cahill's tough childhood, before getting into full flow with a warts 'n' all account of the big man's fifteen years of career thieving before his death at the hands of the IRA. Brendan Gleeson is superb as the arrogant but undeniably charismatic crook. Riveting.