Mona Lisa (1986)

The crime noir film “Mona Lisa” put writer/director Neil Jordan on the map, giving him the power to make “The Crying Game.” The latter is a classic tale of an IRA terrorist who meets a woman not … well, you must see it. It’s mesmerizing, erotic, shocking, violent, bold and completely unforgettable. “Mona Lisa”? It’s all of those adjectives, but at half pace. Bob Hoskins is a Z-grade mobster just released from prison, and expecting gratitude from his boss (Michael Caine) and family. He’s wrong on both counts. George is instead stuck driving a high-class call girl (Cathy Tyson) to and from appointments. Of course he falls for her. And, of course, she has a heart of gold. Even art-house movies have rules. Hoskins kills. No other actor can do seething angry Limey as well as Hoskins. Tyson’s Lady of the Night is so kindly, I just did not buy her. So to speak. Jordan employs a great music and a gritty dark humor. I know every critic loves this film. me? Eh. B