MONA LISA (1986)
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
I knew of Neil Jordan's "Mona Lisa" long before his ultimate triumph, the classic and unusual love story known as "The Crying Game." "Mona Lisa" often shares a kinship with that film, certainly in terms of a love story that is unexpected and doesn't actually involve sex. For a British underworld crime drama, "Mona Lisa" doesn't have much violence (except towards the end). True, Michael Caine's mob boss, Mortwell, is rough around the edges yet he hopes his former employee, a tough, snarling gangster and ex-con named George (Bob Hoskins), is at least...happy. Strangely enough, that is all anybody wants in this movie.
With George out of prison and facing an ex-wife who hates him, all he can do is give his daughter rides to school. Meanwhile, a job is still needed and George decides to head back into the criminal underworld only to become a chauffeur for a high-class prostitute, Simone (Cathy Tyson). They don't get along yet slowly a relationship based on trust and personal tidbits about their lives builds into a love story. Again, not your usual love story but one that could be since it is not consummated. Simone insists on buying a proper suit for George who has no idea how to dress and always looks cheap. Simone also has an avid interest in a section of London where hookers parade a bridge - she's hoping to find a 15-year-old prostitute whom she's in love with. George doesn't know the extent of their relationship yet but he's determined to help Simone find her in some of the sleaziest parts of London.
"Mona Lisa" is intriguing and completely original. Scene after scene we are absorbed in George's character and his private life (which also includes Robbie Coltrane as a mystery-novel loving mechanic). Simone also fascinates because we are never sure if she imagines some other life beyond prostitution and, though money is her governing principle, we are not sure it is her only principle. Is she happy? Is George truly happy or has he found a true friend in Simone? And has Mortwell, George's boss, have designs on Simone's clients that she is unaware of? Happiness in this world is very fleeting.
The entire cast is first-rate and helped enormously by the excellent, gritty, unpredictable screenplay by director Neil Jordan and co-writer David Leland. Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson have unfathomable chemistry - they are such opposites in every sense of the word that you can't imagine them running each other under different circumstances. Both are tough individuals with a need for some intimacy beyond what they do for a living. And there is Michael Caine here, full of bluster and a quick snap of anger when least expected as Mortwell.
"Mona Lisa" is the twin to Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" in retrospect and both would make a winning double-feature. And you will come away from this full-throttle movie humming Nat King Cole's signature song. To this day, the song still reminds me of the movie.
