Most critics respond warmly to Neil Jordan’s blend of political thriller and romantic drama, praising its careful construction and willingness to take emotional risks. The screenplay draws particular admiration for bringing loyalty, violence and desire into a story that remains involving as its concerns grow more complicated. Praise also clusters around the performances, especially Stephen Rea’s troubled Fergus, with Jaye Davidson singled out for a strong contribution. Several reviews find Jordan’s handling of difficult feelings both persuasive and moving.
The reservations concern how securely the plotting supports those ambitions. Time Out offers the clearest dissent, finding structural weaknesses and too much reliance on twists, while still valuing the film’s treatment of its central themes. Empire questions some accents and aspects of the premise; Eye for Film finds Miranda Richardson’s performance weaker than the surrounding work. The spread is otherwise fairly narrow: even the more qualified responses credit Jordan’s daring and skill.