THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY Movie Review

Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins) is a self-important, self-made London mob boss on the brink of his greatest achievement; he's about to greet a delegation of American gangsters who just might pony up millions to invest in his bold, hands-across-the-sea casino/real estate venture. But on the eve of his biggest triumph, somebody's knocking off members of Harold's gang, one by one. What's worse, they're blowing up his businesses in broad daylight, humiliating him in front of the Americans and his own wife (Helen Mirren). If Harold can't get to the bottom of the mayhem and convince the American “delegate” (Eddie Constantine) that the deal isn't risky, he's going to lose his dream. Frantic, furious, and enraged, Harold does get to the bottom of it, but the would-be little Caesar is almost pitifully incapable of comprehending the magnitude of the danger he uncovers. Gripping, hilarious, and enormously pleasurable, The Long Good Friday is one of the few genuinely original crime movies in decades. Hoskins is almost frighteningly perfect as the sawed-off, stocky, bullying Harold. You can't help feeling sorry for him, just as his wife does. Helen Mirren is remarkable; sympathetic but angry, needing Harold's protection, yet aware at all times of her superior intelligence (and aware of the danger of flaunting the fact). Barrie Keefe's script is clever enough to keep the audience guessing, and wise enough to never let them fall behind. It was the first time Americans had seen Hoskins in a leading role, and it remains his best. This is a rare example of how genre filmmaking does not have to leave wit, passion, or originality behind. Directed by John Mackenzie.

NEXT STOP … Mono Lisa, The Crying Game, Alphaville

1980 109m/C GB Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Dave King, Bryan Marshall, George Coulouris, Pierce Brosnan, Derek Thompson, Eddie Constantine, Brian Hall, Stephen Davies, P. H. Moriarty, Paul Freeman, Charles Cork, Paul Barber, Patti Love, Ruby Head, Dexter Fletcher, Roy Alon; D: John MacKenzie; W: Barrie Keefe; C: Phil Meheux; M: Francis Monkman. VHS VTR