- Mona Lisa (film)
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Mona Lisa 
original film posterDirected by Neil Jordan Produced by Stephen Woolley Written by Neil Jordan
David LelandStarring Bob Hoskins
Cathy Tyson
Michael CaineMusic by Michael Kamen Cinematography Roger Pratt Editing by Lesley Walker Distributed by HandMade Films Release date(s) 13 June 1986 Running time 104 minutes Country United Kingdom Language English Mona Lisa is a 1986 British film about a petty criminal who becomes entangled in the dangerous life of a high-class call girl. The movie was written by Neil Jordan and David Leland, and directed by Jordan. It was produced by George Harrison's HandMade Films. It stars Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, Michael Caine, Robbie Coltrane and Sammi Davis.
Contents
Synopsis
George (Hoskins), recently released from prison, is given a cushy job as the driver for a high-class prostitute named Simone (Tyson) by his former boss, Mortwell (Caine). As George and Simone find out more about each other, they form a friendship despite possibly conflicting incentives. Central to this theme is Mortwell's wish for George to find out as much as he can about one of Simone's 'regulars', a wealthy businessman seen with Mortwell on one occasion. George then helps Simone in her quest to find an abused friend from her murky past, and this leads to a violent resolution in the seedy underworld.
Cast
- Bob Hoskins as George
- Cathy Tyson as Simone
- Michael Caine as Denny Mortwell
- Robbie Coltrane as Thomas
- Clarke Peters as Anderson
- Kate Hardie as Cathy
- Zoë Nathenson as Jeannie (as Zoe Nathenson)
- Sammi Davis as May
- Rod Bedall as Terry
- Joe Brown as Dudley
- Pauline Melville as George's Wife
- Hossein Karimbeik as Raschid
- John Darling as Hotel Security
- Bryan Coleman as Gentleman in Mirror Room
- Robert Dorning as Hotel Bedroom Man
Reaction
The film received positive critical reaction when released in 1986. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote of the two main characters "The relationship of their characters in the film is interesting, because both people, for personal reasons, have developed a style that doesn't reveal very much."[1] However, Vincent Canby, writing for the New York Times, dismissed the film as "classy kitsch."[2]
Bob Hoskins was praised for his performance and was awarded the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, Cannes Film Festival, and other awards. Despite this heavy acclaim, he lost the Academy Award for Best Actor to Paul Newman in The Color of Money; a sequel to The Hustler. Some have suggested that while Hoskins deserved the Oscar, Newman won the Oscar as belated recognition for his work in The Hustler.
Awards and nominations
Remake
In May 2009, Larry Clark announced a remake, written and directed by himself. Filming was scheduled to start in early July, with Mickey Rourke and Eva Green starring.
It was announced, via Mickey Rourke's official website on 14 July 2009, that he was no longer attached to the project.[3]
References
- ^ Ebert, Roger (2 July 1986) "Review: Mona Lisa" RogerEbert.SunTimes.com (Retrieved: 12 March 2010)
- ^ Canby, Vincent (13 July 1986) "Movie Review: Mona Lisa (1986)" NYTimes.com (Retrieved: 12 March 2010)
- ^ "Official Mickey Rourke Website", UniquelyRourke.com ('Flicks'), 14 July 2009 (Retrieved: 12 March 2010)
External links
- Mona Lisa at the Internet Movie Database
- Mona Lisa (film) at the British Film Institute's Screenonline
- Mona Lisa at AllRovi
- Mona Lisa at Rotten Tomatoes
- Criterion Collection essay by Neil Jordan
Films directed by Neil Jordan 1980s Angel (1982) · The Company of Wolves (1984) · Mona Lisa (1986) · High Spirits (1988) · We're No Angels (1989)1990s The Miracle (1991) · The Crying Game (1992) · Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) · Michael Collins (1996) · The Butcher Boy (1997) · In Dreams (1999) · The End of the Affair (1999)2000s The Good Thief (2002) · Breakfast on Pluto (2005) · The Brave One (2007) · Ondine (2009)
Categories:- 1986 films
- British films
- English-language films
- 1980s drama films
- British crime films
- Crime drama films
- Films about prostitution
- Films directed by Neil Jordan
- Films set in England
- HandMade Films
- Romantic drama films
- Films set in Brighton
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