Movie #179 Mona Lisa *1986*

Bob Hoskins - George
Cathy Tyson - Simone
Michael Caine - Mortwell
Niel Jordan (Director)

I love when a film takes you in a direction you were not expecting.  I read the synopsis about Mona Lisa and it said that George is a small time criminal fresh out of jail that begins working as a driver for a high price call girl.  I was expecting a gangster story mixed with a hooker with a heart of gold subplot.  Wow was I off base.

First off, I love Bob Hoskins.  He is a big discovery for me with the Year of Film experiment.  I love how he can blow his top in one scene and by the end of the scene be calm and polite without apologizing and we love him for it.  He has a very naturalism about him.  Here he is a grunt for Mortwell.  The lovable looser.  A role perfectly fitted for him that he played to the nines!

Michael Caine plays Mortwell, a role like I have never seen him in before.  I always think of him as the good guy or at least a suave ladies man.  Here he is a low life scumbag leading even lower life, even scummier people.

This film was quirky with the addition of Robbie Coltrain as Thomas.  Geroge's best friend and confident.  They share mystery stories and make odd post modern sculptures.  Then the film goes down the rabbit hole and into the gutter.  Simone (the high class call girl) used to work the streets and had a friend that she shared a pimp with.  She got out of that abusive life but the friend never did.  She asks George if he would help her find the friend. 

There are other surprises that I won't dare to spoil, but several time my jaw fell wide open.  This film deals with a few sides of society (if you can call it that) that are not commonly addressed in film and especially not in "popular movies".

I really enjoyed this movie.  The script and acting was top notch, the camera work had moments of brilliance without being showy.  Music was used in a strange and interesting way.  There is a lot of Nat King Cole songs in the film (Mona Lisa being one), but there is a Genesis song that I thought wasn't going to fit in at all, but it worked great and made the scene 10X better. The movie reminded me a lot of Scorsese's Taxi Driver in a lot of ways. I give Mona Lisa ★★★★.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.

Movie #173 The Long Good Friday *1980*

Bob Hoskins - Harold Shand
Helen Mirren - Victoria
John Mackenzie (Director)

I love it when I find these little gems.  This is a gangster movie from England.  It is the story of a the most polite yet professional gangster you will ever meet.  I'm not sure if is the traditional English manners or what, but Bob Hoskins as Harold Shand is the anti-Scareface.  He is a charming, polite, courteous man that just happens to be a no-nonsense mob boss.

He seems to be attempting to go legit by budding the interests of some American investors in a casino he is trying to establish.  At the same time, different members of his organization begin showing up dead.  Many of whom were blown up in a some fashion.  The film then focus's on his attempt to find out who is responsible for the attacks, keep the peace with his potential investors, and eventually end the slaughter of his men by crushing whatever force is massacring them.

Other than the nice guy gang leader there are a few other characteristics that set this movie apart.  I found the music light and playful.  Even when the action on screen had more of a serious tone to it.  This could be a product of its time and place.  British movies from the early 80's aren't my specialty.  The acting was very natural.  Mainly in the lead roles, but even a few of the henchmen really came across as real people.  It was like watching a stylized documentary at times.  The film also had almost a pro-homosexual message.  More than a couple of the mob members and associates were openly gay, and no one really seemed to care.  I think they went as far as to comment on the issue in extremely passive ways.  This is a topic that came up in the Soprano's as late as the early 2000's and was still not accepted at all.

The movie had undeniable Sexy Beast references.  I have not reviewed that film yet, but it holds a special place in my heart.  I respect nearly everything about that movie, even the stuff that doesn't quite work.  Both films have a very British slant to them that I found refreshing.  Another connection is that when the violence finally erupts in both films it is savage and brutal and sort of comes from no where.  Making it all the more intense and shocking.

Finally I should mention Helen Mirren as Victoria.  She plays the best "mob wife" I have seen on screen since Lorraine Bracco played Karen in Goodfellas.   Victoria is charming, incredibly intelligent (even more so than her husband in many scenes) extraordinarily level headed, with a fantastic business sense.  I don't know who could have played her better. 

I love the gangster genre and this is a wonderful addition to it.  I give The long Good Friday ★★★★.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.  This film is available on Netflix Watch Instantly.