The Crying Game (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM
The Crying Game (M, 1992) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth
British soldier Fergus (Stephen Rea) is part of a military patrol in Northern Ireland when he's captured by IRA members, including the volatile Jude (Miranda Richardson). During his captivity, Fergus develops an unlikely rapport with his captors, particularly through a game of questions about life's desires. When a rescue operation goes wrong and Fergus is forced to choose between his duty as a soldier and his newfound humanity, he helps the IRA member escape. Years later in London, Fergus encounters Dil (Jaye Davidson), a mysterious and beautiful woman who triggers unexpected emotions. As Fergus falls for Dil and attempts to build a normal life away from violence, his past catches up with him when the IRA demands he repay his debt. The revelation of Dil's true identity changes everything Fergus thought he understood, forcing him to confront questions about love, identity, and what we're willing to accept.
Director Neil Jordan crafts a complex political thriller that works simultaneously as noir mystery, love story, and meditation on identity and acceptance. The 1992 film's genius lies in how it uses audience expectations to challenge our own prejudices and assumptions. Stephen Rea delivers a nuanced performance as Fergus, a man caught between duty and desire, making his moral compromises utterly credible. Jaye Davidson's breakthrough performance is luminous and tragic, commanding every scene with quiet intensity. Miranda Richardson brings fierce volatility to Jude, while the supporting cast creates a fully realized world of moral ambiguity. The film's famous twist isn't merely shock value—it deepens the themes about acceptance and challenging preconceptions. Darius Khondji's cinematography captures London's shadows and rain, while Graeme Revell's score underscores the emotional complexity. It's intelligent cinema that respects its audience's capacity for uncomfortable questions.
Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.
When: Wednesday, July 8th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (High level coarse language, Violence, Adult themes)