Review of Mona Lisa (1973) by Aldie L — 05 Oct 2007
Bob Hoskins plays a convict who is released from a jail term that is never explained. He searches out the friend he served time for, and ends up as a chauffeur to a woman of questionable morals. Hoskins' George is a loveably complex naïf, growing to think of the woman as a lady and seeing himself as her protector.
As a result, when he comes head to head with his old "friend" (Michael Caine) and discovers the man is part of the woman's degradation, the last act turns into part-Taxi Driver, part-The Bodyguard, part-Crying Game or some kind of "save the woman even though she may not be worth it" tale.
The story is gritty, POE-riddled, and probably not worth the time for most. There's a strange humanity about all of it, though, about seeing all of these sad people as George does, as people who need help.
Hoskins' performance is tremendous, winning him a much-deserved Oscar nomination.
This review of Mona Lisa (1973) was written by Aldie L on 05 Oct 2007.
Mona Lisa has generally received positive reviews.
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