Mona Lisa (1986) - Bob Hoskins - Digitally restored region 2 import - English Audio - Subtitles: Swedish - As pictured - Some Swedish text on rear cover

Good story

The BluRay transfer is excellent. Crystal clear picture, brilliant colour (though it is a very "dark" film), and good subtitles. Hoskins is superb as the feisty ex con, always on the verge of violence, but with a tender side that he brings out so well in his scenes with his daughter, and the prostitute Cathy Tyson (excellent too). Sammi Davis scores and makes a vivid impression as a drug addicted abused prostitute. Caine and Coltrane shine in their smaller but important roles. Much use is made of real Soho, and London locations., including the sordid sex clubs. The violence when it comes is realistic, short and - well - violent. A terrific film, but as I said - not for the faint hearted. (Just to finish with a word about Cathy Tyson. She starts her performence quietly and builds and builds to a shattering final few minutes. A great, under appreciated? actress.)

Neil Jordan and David Leland's dark portrayal of working in the underworld is finally remastered to it's former glory on Blu-Ray, and I for one am impressed with it.This new release, approved by both Neil and Roger, has been lovingly remastered from negatives used on-set. They have been cleaned, brightened and colour balanced to give us the best 2k experience (2k in 1080p). the audio is also had a touch-up, but still is in mono. This isn't such a big deal, as long as it is clear and works well with the visuals--which is certainly does.If you didn't catch this the first time round, and I have to admit neither did I, Bob Hoskins (The Long Good Friday) plays this guy out of the nick looking for a job. He's been inside for ages now and is out of touch, but fancies himself as a chauffeur for a high class call girl (Cathy Tyson (Band Of Gold)), who is being pimped out by Mortwell (Michael Cane (The Black Windmill, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)) in the London area. She's got to find her friend though, which gets in the way of the boys' work.This is a brilliant film with some of the best actors of the time. everyone from Robbie Coltraine as a book-worm to the odd seedy guy trying to help George out are well acted. Cathy Tyson was also very good in this, and now we can see why she was picked to be a hooker in Band Of Gold. Her no-nonsense attitude is what drives the story onward and forwards.Onto the more important aspect for collectors: the Blu itself. It is a very good disk to be honest with you. I am very impressed by the work done on the picture, though it is a bit dotty at times, it's well-balanced, and has a good transfer from the negatives.Roger Pratt, the original cinematographer has lovingly brought this back to life. If you look at the trailer you'll see how bad things were for Mona Lisa.This disk is well packed extras wise. There's a commentary track from Bob and Neil, the original trailer, interviews with Neil and David about the writing process and subtitles. The cover is reversable too.The only let down for me is the mono soundtrack, but it is better than a noisy dub - and it makes this feature look really good. Yes, the story is slow to form, but this is a good thing and it makes the story interesting.Well worth a look, and worth adding to your collection.

I received my copy of Mona Lisa couple days ago and watched it. I had last seen the film on a TV screening more than 20 years ago, so this was practically a fresh viewing. The basic plot is that Bob Hoskins is an ex-con assigned to driving and escorting a high-class prostitute (a gorgeous Cathy Tyson). Their initially peppery repartee gives way to a deeper friendship and George undertakes to find Cathy's friend who may be in bad trouble. In the process, he triggers a sequence of events that may just crash his world. The film is first-rate, with fantastic performances from all the cast (and Cathy Tyson is such a beauty!) and a lush look. I feared it may be very bleak (like Get Carter) but it has a warmth and humor throughout that balances the sordid / tragic elements. Very very re-watchable IMO, and the video quality of this release makes it a pleasure to re-visit. Roger Pratt's moody cinematography gets exemplary loving treatment here. Audio is fantastic, with Nat King Cole's title track sounding better than ever. Also saw the supplemental interviews, which are interesting.

Hoskins excels in one of his early starring roles as George, minding a top class hooker with inevitable connections to evil crime boss and seedier side of sex trade. 25 years on this film is still as fresh as when it first appeared; Michael Caine plays the East End villain with aplomb and Cathy Tyson is brilliant as a high class tart with a gentle streak. Early and very competent outing too for Robbie Coltrane as George's confidant. Set in contemporary (1980's) London so scenery is a little dated but the content is timeless and so well executed that this does not detract from the experience one bit. For 106 minutes anyone old enough to remember the Eighties will feel as though they have been transported back in time. Some critics have described the film as kitsch and it is true that the characters come across as lacking depth but I feel that this reflects the shallow and desperate nature of the underworld it depicts. This is an excellent example of British film noir and a classic of its time.

This is not a pretty story. In fact it is very sleezy. The ghastly cruel underworld of the rough end of the sex trade in London. Bob Hoskins is brilliant. He plays a man who has been in prison for seven years and comes out to into this world which is well established but new to him. Possibly it is not a film to have watched during the troubled times we are living in now - but it held my attention although maybe I would have prefered to have taken myself away into a fantasy world of happy escapism. But I didn't and yes it is a good film it tells a grim story very very well.

Really enjoyed this film as somehow I missed it at the time. Got it as a tribute to Robbie Coltrane as liked him a lot, and of course Bob Hoskins is fantastic as is Michael Caine.

Incredibly gritty British gangster movie with superb acting throughout,it gives a really detailed look into the grimy streets of London in the 80s,the storyline is solid and interesting and holds your attention right up to the end, Michael Caine is also superb in a smaller but crucial role to the movie

Prompt delivery. Actually worked in my DVD player.

Gran interpretación de Bob Hoskin. La pelicula puede connsideratse un antecesor del Guardaespaldas, a la que no tiene nada que envidiarle. En definitiva gran pelicula con una gran música

Alles bestens. Top.

Classic Jordan, must see for Crying Game fans.

Mona Lisa est tout d’abord l’histoire de personnages très forts. George est un gangster de la vieille école, au grand coeur, libéré après sept ans passés derrière les barreaux. Mais il ne reconnait plus le monde autour de lui. Sa rage et son désespoir sont bientôt remplacés par l’amitié et l’amour qu’il porte à Simone, la prostituée black qu’il est censée protéger. Simone de son côté a l’habitude de devoir se défendre seule, mais joue un jeu à double tranchant avec George. Autour de ces deux personnages, superbement croqués et interprétés par Bob Hoskins et la débutante Cathy Tyson, on retrouve des seconds rôles également très bien trouvés et utilisés : le boss Mortwell (Michael Caine) qui porte la cravate avec cynisme et dont l’apparence très urbaine cache une cruauté digne des plus grands gangsters, Thomas (Robbie Coltrane) une figure excentrique et seul ami de George, Anderson (Clarke Peters) un mac sinistre et froid,…Un très grand film noir britannique réalisé par Neil Jordan