The Secret Agent (1996)

That was an excellent one.

Let's be realistic.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Near the end of Christopher Hampton's spot-on adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale, the tone of the film abruptly changes. For most of the film, Hampton's vision of late 19th London is suffocating. The camera moves from one confined space to another - the studio and shop of the eponymous hero and his wife, pubs, a government official's small office. Even the street scenes induce a bit of claustrophobia. There is a Dickens-like bleakness. It feels as if it could have, and perhaps should have, been filmed in black-and-white. The sudden change takes you by surprise, At first, it seems as if the film had taken a leap in time -- and all that careful staging of Conrad's London was for naught. But soon comes the realization that some of the greatest moments in film are both powerful and subtle. The pastel colors of a sunrise are tragically ironic. All that lifelessness that came before now means so much more in the context of the one character in the novel and movie who seems know about the value of life. Conrad's novel was not well received when it was first read -- and probably misunderstood. The aesthetics of Conrad's prose has few rivals in all of literature, but some may find hid storytelling to be dense at times. This 1996 film version also had its detractors-- but don't be misled. This is a film that has a lot of substance, and Conrad's prose seems to flow effortlessly at times from page to screen. Like the novel, the film has much resonance today. But if you're looking for a 21st century hyperbolic action film, this may not be the one for you. One final note: Robin Williams is not credited for his role, even though he has as important, at least, a role as Gerard Depardieu. If you doubt his ability as a serious actor, this small role may upset that particular conviction.

Anyone looking for some exciting tale along the lines of the Bourne trilogy in a film named The Secret Agent is going to be disappointed.What you have here is a dark and deep intellectual exercise in the actions of spies, anarchists, agent provocateurs, and the like in 19th Century England.While Bob Hoskins (Unleashed, Who Framed Roger Rabbit) leads the cast, it is truly an ensemble film.Hoskins is a man playing all sides. He is an anarchist, but in the employ of the Russians, and under the thumb of a local police inspector (Jim Broadbent). His wife (Patricia Arquette) only married him to gain protection for disabled brother (Christian Bale). When the Russian boss (Eddie Izzard) puts the pressure on, he has to act and he manages to kill the brother. Everything falls apart at that point, and it is where the film really gets interesting. So, if you bail before that, you miss it all.One of the most interesting things in the film was his actions after his wife found out that her brother was killed. She is leaving, and he orders her to stay. He is stuffing his face while "consoling" her and sits on the couch. He then tells her, "I know what you need. Come over here." I hope this is not a reflection of the attitude of men towards women in this period, but I am afraid that it probably is. Anyway, it was what she needed, but not in the way he imagined.Things do not end well in this film. There is a good performance by Gérard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac, The Man in the Iron Mask) towards the end, and a great performance by Robin Williams throughout.They must really like Conrad's story, as it has been done on TV a couple of times before this film. It is worth your time.

To watch this movie one must be in the right frame of mind. Firstly, it helps to be versed in political history and understand the political forces which brought this situation to exist in the real London of the turn of the century. Secondly, one must watch the movie in allegorical terms as you would read a poem or a short story. This is not a literal movie though the literal translation to the present day international concerns is acute. The psychological translation from book to screen is realized in all the actors' performances. Bob Hoskins is the double agent who has no loyalty to anything but his own survival and needs. Robin Williams who gets no listing in the credits (yet another allegorical reference) is the perfect sociopath. The sets are another character. The grey and dank Victorian London squaller lends itself to the futility of the goings on in the plot. Note the comparison to the home of the malcontents to the Greenwich sunshine. It's not a movie for everyone on any given day. It is a movie that could spark serious conversation comparing and contrasting the political climates of then and now.

I really enjoyed this movie. There is a lot to see in this movie. Very smart and brilliantly written. They chose great actors for this movie and they portrayed their roles quiet well. Stunning and great ending nothing could have been better. It was nice to see a dark side of Robin Williams especially acted the way he did. Nice set work and background. Very believable. I would rank it up there with Les Miserables, Quills, and The Tailor of Panama. If you haven't seen them watch 'em. It makes you actually feel for the bad guys and see the path of good shaded and darken. This movie does not end happily and that is a good reason why I love it. Ignore all the bad reviews because those are from the kind of person who can't understand artistic ability or Indy films.