Hidden Agenda (1990) Reviews

Hidden Agenda (1990)
Member Rating:  
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, Rovi

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Starring:
Frances McDormand, Brian Cox, (more)
Director(s):
Ken Loach
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(12 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Timothy F.

Made in 1990, how close this film hits home today! Because we've (USA) been British allies for over a century, how easily the US has supported the British long time occupation of Ireland, not to mention Scotland and Wales. "Terrorist" is in the eye of the beholder. US government approved use of covert torture, spying on Americans, labeling war oppenents as "traitors," and all supported by a rah-rah press that "rooted" for the US in an invasion of Iraq that was preplanned by politicians aligned with multinational oil corporations--how easily we give away our freedom, our democracy in the name of "security." The Brits belong in Ireland no more than the US belongs in Iraq--but one hand washes the other, doesn't it?

Yes   |   No


Leland H.

A very good movie. I enjoyed the story, even if in the end the consipicy is ahistorical. While I am an American, I lived in the UK for years. A lot of the storyline and organizations referenced in the dialog might be missed by a lot of Americans.

Yes   |   No


Robert D.

Mc Dormand is great always and the story was realistic. I really enjoyed it!!!!makes us think hard about our security in this country????

Yes   |   No


Stanley G.

Very enjoyable with suberb acting.

Yes   |   No


Ronald S.

A war within a war. The fight for a free Ireland will go on as long as there are souls on this earth.

Yes   |   No


Philip R.

Has a real Costa Gavras feel to it. It is a little slow at times, but builds effectively to the climax. Some great acting by Brain Cox and Frances McDormand. There is a certain amount of intrique, but the facts are stated pretty early in the flim, so not really a who done it.

Yes   |   No


ROBIN H.

This movie hooks you in early and keeps you at the edge of your seat. It is a political thriller that makes you think about the thin line between the "right" side and the "wrong" side and how they are not that much different. It really depends on your point of view. This is a very good movie.

Yes   |   No


Patrick L.

The story is good and believable. Great acting. But the end is all to believable and disconserting with several questions left unanswered.

Yes   |   No


Ron C.

One one level, this is a good movie, with excellent acting by McDormand and Brian Cox. Cox reminds me sometimes of Brando and other times Richard Burton. In this, he is more Burton-esquire and very believable as a fair minded investigator who gets into something very deep. It's that "something" that bothers me. Loach is a socialist who throws in a lot of leftie-conspiracy stuff as fact. Here he takes shots at Thatcher, Kissinger, the US, etc., and the documentary style of the film might let these opinions pass as fact. Made in '90, it is a relevant look at how a democratic government should deal with terrorism. The British then were dealing with many of the issues we face now in the US.

Yes   |   No


J. S.

¡Totalmente agujereando!

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (12)
     
    Timothy F.

    Made in 1990, how close this film hits home today! Because we've (USA) been British allies for over a century, how easily the US has supported the British long time occupation of Ireland, not to mention Scotland and Wales. "Terrorist" is in the eye of the beholder. US government approved use of covert torture, spying on Americans, labeling war oppenents as "traitors," and all supported by a rah-rah press that "rooted" for the US in an invasion of Iraq that was preplanned by politicians aligned with multinational oil corporations--how easily we give away our freedom, our democracy in the name of "security." The Brits belong in Ireland no more than the US belongs in Iraq--but one hand washes the other, doesn't it?

    Yes   |   No

     
    Leland H.

    A very good movie. I enjoyed the story, even if in the end the consipicy is ahistorical. While I am an American, I lived in the UK for years. A lot of the storyline and organizations referenced in the dialog might be missed by a lot of Americans.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Robert D.

    Mc Dormand is great always and the story was realistic. I really enjoyed it!!!!makes us think hard about our security in this country????

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 12 Reviews
       

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