Mona Lisa
Writer-director Neil Jordan's breakthrough film is a brilliant, noir-infused love story. Bob Hoskins (who snagged an Oscar nomination for his performance) plays George, a small-time loser employed as a chauffeur to an enigmatic, high-class call girl. His fascination with her leads him on a dangerous quest through the sordid underbelly of London, where love is a weakness to be exploited and betrayed. Criterion is proud to present Mona Lisa in a Director Approved special edition.
Member Reviews
Reverse Pretty Woman? - cathyottawa
That's what I was afraid this film was going to be, when white trash low level hood George started to drive prissy high class call girl Simone to her appointments, and she starts to school him on how to act classy, even taking him on a shopping trip for new clothes.
But this soon turned into the anti-Pretty Woman, as George starts to learn what life is like, not only for Simone's form of prostitute, but for the hundreds of young girls on the streets and in the seedy clubs, abused by pimps and johns alike.
You see his disgust, and empathy, and horror, and you understand the feeling he has, that if he can save just one of these girls, maybe he won't have to feel so bad for all of them.
But then the movie veers way off coarse in the third act, and becomes something else again.
I hated the way they left the track I thought the film was on, which was bittersweet and on the way to something beautiful, and went for something cheap and schlocky, reducing George's character in the process.
On another note, I also hated the title. There is no Mona Lisa in the film, yet the song plays seemingly every time someone turns on the radio, and there's a picture of the Mona Lisa on someone's fridge. It was an annoying attempt to add hidden depth, when really it had nothing to do with anything.Magnificent, Jordan's second-best film - Port_Moresby
Bob Hoskins is released from prison and goes back to work for his gangster boss (Michael Caine). Immediately assigned as a driver to a high-class call girl (Cathy Tyson), this meathead thug finds himself falling for his beautiful charge and willing to do whatever she needs. His survival skills are put to the test when her desires push him to scour the dirty underbelly of London’s streets and look for a young woman she used to know who might be in serious trouble. This scintillating film is one of Neil Jordan’s best (only surpassed by The Crying Game), featuring explosive performances, glintingly beautiful noir-ish cinematography and a terrific, violent climax. Hoskins’ patented Angry Cockney Guy routine is at its ripest and most captivating here.
Member Reviews
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Reverse Pretty Woman? - cathyottawa
That's what I was afraid this film was going to be, when white trash low level hood George started to drive prissy high class call girl Simone to her appointments, and she starts to school him on how to act classy, even taking him on a shopping trip for new ...Magnificent, Jordan's second-best film - Port_Moresby
Bob Hoskins is released from prison and goes back to work for his gangster boss (Michael Caine). Immediately assigned as a driver to a high-class call girl (Cathy Tyson), this meathead thug finds himself falling for his beautiful charge and willing to do ...