Review of Mona Lisa (1986) by Thilak P — 18 Oct 2009

A wonderful British crime drama. Despite on-the-surface black humour, It works on different levels that one has to think of fixating a specific genre. Bold in its depiction of London underground harlotry, and bolder in its attempt to be non-judgmental about these characters, who are ostensibly hideous at first. But then as it unfolds, it creates an unique atmosphere, and we are not entirely sure of what it is. Film noir? Maybe. But there is also this 80's mood, and dark-horse Comics feel to it. But then we are talking of British Cinema, and Neil Jordan, who has quite often lend to vigilantism brewed by landscape. But effectively, it's an emotional drama with simple ambitions. The protagonist is at first abhorrent & brash, but as the narrative unfolds, the character dynamics slowly lets the audience engage, and indulge into the plot, which happens to be a scheme in no control of his own. The lead character has a moral standpoint but is restraint. The protagonist and women are perhaps "victims", while the chiefs are oppressors. But then again, ascendancy beckons in inconceivable ways. Sometimes physical, and sexual, but other times, emotional manipulation could be far more scathing.

It would be futile to match it to thematic elements of Taxi Driver, apart from a couple of homage, and random cinematic connections. Although like Taxi Driver, it has a knock-down denouement, and great all-round performance. Bob Hoskins in his best role to-date, and the film is further evidence to elegance of Michael Caine, who is yet to deliver a bad performance (although he has been in handful of bad films)! Cathy Tyson is alright. 4/5.