Think back to 1980; (If you can; I weren't conceived for another 4 years). A small film has just been released that has upset the whole of Margaret Thatcher's Converstaive Party. It's also the height of the IRA bombings around Britain at that time.
Starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren (most of the rest of the cast have fallen away on the side lines and joined the ranks of the ITV's police series 'The Bill'); although it is surprising to see a young Pearce Brosnan appear as (in many ways) a mute Irish terrorist/assainian. Hoskins ability to leap from quiet man to outraged loon who attacks with a smashed up bottle of whiskey (you'll know the scene when you watch it) is great and is one of the main powerhouse's of the film. Helen Mirren is also wonderful in this also, trying to keep sane while her mother in law is nearly blown up, a pub blown up and a casino nearly blown up tries keep these situasions under raps to an American businessman (and 1 lawyer).
The only down point to this film is two things. The electronic and aged soundtrack although sounds very cool at the beginning, just becomes annoying by the time the 30 minute digit is highlighted on your video/dvd player. The other problem is the directing. If the script and narrative hadn't been as good (Thankgod it wasn't) then this film would have just disappeared by the time I was born (1984). At times it almost feels like your watching an repeated episode of 'The Bill'; (British readers will understand what I'm talking about).
But the one thing that places 'the icing on the cake' is the final scene in which Hoskins' wordless and astounding performannce concludes the film. Every emotion is visible from shock to final ambivalent expression that might be rueful acceptance. It's a wonderful performance in a wonderful story based film.
Starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren (most of the rest of the cast have fallen away on the side lines and joined the ranks of the ITV's police series 'The Bill'); although it is surprising to see a young Pearce Brosnan appear as (in many ways) a mute Irish terrorist/assainian. Hoskins ability to leap from quiet man to outraged loon who attacks with a smashed up bottle of whiskey (you'll know the scene when you watch it) is great and is one of the main powerhouse's of the film. Helen Mirren is also wonderful in this also, trying to keep sane while her mother in law is nearly blown up, a pub blown up and a casino nearly blown up tries keep these situasions under raps to an American businessman (and 1 lawyer).
The only down point to this film is two things. The electronic and aged soundtrack although sounds very cool at the beginning, just becomes annoying by the time the 30 minute digit is highlighted on your video/dvd player. The other problem is the directing. If the script and narrative hadn't been as good (Thankgod it wasn't) then this film would have just disappeared by the time I was born (1984). At times it almost feels like your watching an repeated episode of 'The Bill'; (British readers will understand what I'm talking about).
But the one thing that places 'the icing on the cake' is the final scene in which Hoskins' wordless and astounding performannce concludes the film. Every emotion is visible from shock to final ambivalent expression that might be rueful acceptance. It's a wonderful performance in a wonderful story based film.