Mona Lisa
1986
Soho, London
Neil Jordan
Neo-noir drama
What’s it all about: Bob Hoskins wears his heart on his cheap, pleather sleeve for high-price call girl Cathy Tyson. She gives him a three-piece suit makeover and a lot of trouble in return.
First Encounter: first viewing
Prostitute Index: high
Death By: bringing a gun to a knife fight
Relics: hair crimping, male ponytail, rhyming cockney
Hoops: an open-air sex market complete with camp fires to keep the prostitutes warm
Heartthrobs: Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson
Pass/Fails the Test of Time: deep 80s lighting and matte finish
LoFi Magic: fiberglass spaghetti sculptures
Makes me want to: go for a bloody mary at the London Hilton (where I once worked!)
Candotti Take: “Who plays Phil Collins in a sex club?” / “A very book movie. He took forever to find the girl, same as when you read the book and you’re like, when will he find this girl? You have to read chapters and chapters and chapters.”
Worth a watch/rewatch: Yes
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