Mona Lisa
MONA LISA (18)
D: Neil Jordan
Palace (Stephen Woolley & Patrick
Cassavetti)
UK 1986
104 mins
Crime/Drama
W: Neil Jordan & David
Leland
DP: Roger Pratt
Ed: Lesley Walker
Mus: Michael Kamen
Bob Hoskins (George), Cathy
Tyson (Simone), Michael Caine (Mortwell), Clarke Peters (Anderson), Kate Hardie (Cathy), Robbie Coltrane (Thomas), Sammi Davis (May)
Mona Lisa could easily be described as a British
version of Taxi Driver (qv), there are a few similarities between the two films, but not enough to accuse Neil Jordan's film of plagiarism.
Bob Hoskins plays George, an ex-convict released from
prison after taking the fall for his gangster boss. Snubbed by his ex-wife and daughter, he goes to collect his earnings but is instead given a job as a chauffeur to high-class call girl,
Simone (Cathy Tyson).
The relationship between the two is initially one of
dislike, mostly due to George's bigotry, but soon develops into one of trust, and Simone asks him if he can locate the whereabouts of her friend, a fifteen-year-old girl who was forced
into a life of prostitution by the same pimp.
The film shows a seedy side of 1980's London, but is
softened by Bob Hoskins' excellent, brooding performance. Cathy Tyson is also brilliant, with a role that captures the exotic mystery of the Nat King Cole song "Mona Lisa", which plays
frequently throughout the film.
8/10
