Plot
This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war-torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government, he is killed, and a top-secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case, Inspector Kerrigan (Brian Cox) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death, which seems to be related to rumors of a high-ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris (Maurice Roeves), a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together, they look for the top-secret tape. ~ Karl Williams, RoviReview
In the tradition of political thrillers such as Missing and Z, Ken Loach's Hidden Agenda is a fictionalized story that makes use of real-life events and figures. A former documentarian, Loach approaches the material in a powerful, straightforward manner that emphasizes the strengths of the script, the characters, the actors, and the situation, rather than resorting to technical means (quick cuts, mesmerizing angles, etc.) to give the film its texture and tension. There are grit and realism in Loach's world, and he eschews exoticism for the everyday -- dark pubs, small restaurants, building lobbies, back alleys, etc. His people bear the mark of those who have been involved in a long struggle, one that seems to sap and drain life from them. They breathe real, not always clean, air -- a rarity in mysteries of this sort, which often traffic in the rich and beautiful. Loach's cast is excellent, especially Brian Cox, who knows how to make quiet and stillness into a powerful presence, and Frances McDormand, whose ability to portray a range of emotions is well used. Although the pace occasionally falters, overall Hidden Agenda is a first-rate thriller that will move as well as entertain viewers. ~ Craig Butler, RoviCast
- Frances McDormand - Ingrid Jessner
- Brian Cox - Peter Kerrigan
- Brad Dourif - Paul Sullivan
- Mai Zetterling - Moa
- Bernard Archard - Sir Robert Neil
- Bernard Bloch - Henri
Credit
Nigel Phelps - Art Director, Daphne Dare - Costume Designer, Ken Loach - Director, Jonathan Morris - Editor, Stewart Copeland - Composer (Music Score), Louise Fisher - Makeup, Martin Johnson - Production Designer, Clive Tickner - Cinematographer, John Daly - Producer, Eric Fellner - Producer, Derek Gibson - Producer, Rebecca O'Brien - Producer, Vendetta Effects - Special Effects, Jim Allen - Screenwriter| Hidden Aces (1927 Film), Hidden (2009 Film) | |
| Hidden Agenda (1998 Film), Hidden Agenda (2001 Film) |
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