Mona Lisa

An ungainly cockney chauffeur navigates the seedy streets of London, gradually falling for the elegant and mysterious prostitute who is his passenger.

George emerges from prison to find his daughter barely recognises him and his old life has vanished. Seeking payback, he hunts down former boss, Denny Mortwell, the gangster who betrayed him. Instead, he’s given a job chauffeuring Simone, a sharp-witted prostitute. As they navigate London’s underworld, their uneasy alliance deepens into an unlikely friendship – and a dangerous search for truth.

Mona Lisa transposes to 1980s London some of the plot and aesthetic style of Taxi Driver. As well as the uncouth George (Bob Hoskins) and the elegant, guarded Simone (Cathy Tyson), Neil Jordan’s third film also makes room for beautifully realised supporting characters, including predatory crime boss Mortwell (Michael Caine) and teenage prostitute Cathy (Kate Hardie), whom Simone entreats George to rescue. Hoskins’ compelling performance brought him an Oscar nomination and a Bafta. Please note, the film contains racist and discriminatory language.