Although Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa is set in a world rife with ruthless gangsters, sadistic pimps, and teenage prostitutes, in its heart lies a compassionate and nuanced portrayal of two characters, George (Bob Hoskins) and Simone (Cathy Tyson).
George (Bob Hoskins), a small-time criminal who worked for his boss Denny Mortwell (Michael Caine), has just been released from prison after serving a seven-year sentence. In exchange for taking the fall for Denny and losing years of his life in jail, George gets a job as Simone’s chauffeur. Initially, the two of them hate each other, but eventually build a formidable relationship, especially in the case of George, who begins to like her. As their relationship develops, Simone begins to trust George and seeks his help in finding her close friend Cathy, a 15-year-old girl who is also a prostitute and works for a dangerous pimp named Anderson (Clarke Peters), Simone’s former pimp. While looking for Cathy, George discovers a few troubling revelations that would endanger his and Simone’s lives.
The film’s strongest suit is the evolution of George and Simone’s relationship, as they are two completely different people from opposite worlds: the criminal underworld and the prostitution world, respectively. When George is assigned to be her driver, he immediately dislikes her, owing primarily to her profession. His job is to chauffeur her to high-end hotels and exclusive private residences, provide protection, and wait for her while she conducts business. On the other hand, Simone, too, hates George and immediately realizes that he is the wrong guy for the job due to the manner in which he walks, talks, and acts, making him an outcast in upscale environments. They only learn to get along after having an intense argument in George’s car. He changes his attitude and sees past her occupation to see the real her, and she, too, gradually realizes that he is not a horrible person. Their relationship may not be sensual, but it feels cozy and genuine. George eventually develops feelings for Simone, which leads him to agree to track down Cathy for her, despite the risk to himself. He goes from p**n stores to strip clubs to brothels, asking about Cathy, and the entire scene is reminiscent of Paul Schrader’s Hardcore (1979), in which George C. Scott’s character goes to similar locations in search of her missing daughter.
The addition of George’s daughter, who is about fifteen years old, is a brilliant touch that further reinforces his character, showcasing his caring nature. There is a scene where he drives around the town with Simone and sees young, underage girls doing prostitution, which worries and terrifies him. He even tells Simone that his daughter is the same age as the other girls and hopes she will not end up like them. The presence of George’s daughter grounds his character, bolsters his objective of helping rescue Cathy, and makes us more empathetic toward him.
George’s predicament is well addressed as he struggles between helping Simone due to his feelings for her and doing the job his boss wants him to do, and Bob Hoskins handles it flawlessly. You cannot take your eyes off him when he’s on the screen, be it when he is pissed, confused, or sad. He is just a treat to watch and has an incredible acting range. Cathy Tyson plays Simone with poise and elegance as a woman who knows men better than most, has endured hardships, and has climbed the ladder but has never forgotten where she came from. Michael Caine has limited scenes as George’s boss Denny Mortwell but makes a strong impact as a powerful gangster who does terrible things with no conscience or regret, making him ominous and creepy. The film’s ending was not my favorite part because it felt rushed and predictable.
Even though Mona Lisa offers nothing revolutionary in terms of story and feels influenced by films such as Paul Schrader’s Hardcore (1979) and Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976), the detailed and layered characterization of the lead characters makes this film work.
Mona Lisa movie link: IMDB
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