lchaia 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.

malcolmgsw All of the IMB reviews seem to overlook the fact that this is a remake.Hitch made this as "Sabotage" in the 1930s.His film makes this look like amateur theatricals.Perhaps the most important scenes in the film,the bombing and the killing of Mr Verlock are just thrown away.The tension in the Hitch version between Mrs(Sylvia Sidney)and Mr(Oscar Milka)is terrific.Also in the Hitch version the bomb is in a film can which is carried by the brother.No audience would ever believe that the boy would be killed but Hitch did it.He always regretted it as he felt that he lost the sympathy of the audience at that moment.As for this film it is a travesty.There are so many things wrong with this film that i would not know where to begin.So i have a suggestion for anyone who thinks that this film has merit.Watch this one first then go and see Sabotage.You will very easily decide what is the masterpiece.

makari-thraka 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.

foxhenchman I'm constantly amazed how well Conrad is adapted by modern film makers. The political intrigue can be mostly ignored, as it is slight and not very interesting. What this movie does well is depict human emotions and reactions in difficult situations, and here is where the well picked cast delivers. Robin Williams is unbilled, but provides a fascinating character study of a true anarchist which contrasts nicely against Bob Hoskins' unwilling agent role. I was beginning to grow tired in the middle of the film, thinking the shallow political action was the ending, but the later intense focus on the human reactions and struggles following the incident do a wonderful job of drawing you back in.