Mona Lisa (1986)

Emerging from the steel-cold confines of prison after seven gruelling years, small-time criminal George finds himself in an unfamiliar world. His past and present collide as he seeks the love of his estranged daughter, only to be barred by his resentful ex-wife. In the midst of this emotional turmoil, his old friend Thomas rekindles their bond with a grand gesture, gifting George his treasured Jaguar. As he cruises the vibrant, yet unfamiliar London streets, he is struck by the stark changes that have swept through his old haunts. In this shifting landscape, George finds a lifeline in an unexpected offer from his former boss, Mortwell, the area's notorious kingpin. He is enlisted as a chauffeur and protector for Simone, a high-class call girl whose beauty and aloofness bewitch him. The initial disdain between them gradually dissolves into a complex rapport, with George nursing an unrequited love for the enigmatic Simone. Simone, however, is embroiled in a risky game of her own in the seedy underbelly of King's Cross district, the infamous red-light hub of 1980s London. She is on a relentless quest to find Cathy, a fellow prostitute. As George finds himself drawn deeper into Simone's perilous world, he agrees to aid her in her search, unknowingly stepping into the crosshairs of Anderson, a menacing pimp with a deadly reputation. As George unravels the tangled threads linking Simone to Cathy, he is thrust into a high-stakes whirlwind of danger and deceit. The once small-time criminal must navigate the treacherous underworld he once thought he understood, challenging not only his survival but the very essence of his unrequited love. Mona Lisa is a compelling narrative of loyalty, obsession, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a gritty and changing London.

Mona Lisa is a crime movie featuring Bob Hoskins.

Mona Lisa is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Max and Max Amazon Channel.