A longterm prisoner returns to the outside world and is rewarded for his silence by being given a job as a driver for a high class prostitute.
One of those might-have-been movies that falls down because it bites off more than in it can chew. As a portrait of low, high and middle ground vice in London's famous Soho district it is bang on the money, but sadly it has ambitions above its station and tries to be a thriller and chase movie as well.
Hoskins is excellent as our guide and driver (George) and Kathy Tyson (Simone) is his match as the class tart with a heart. Good support is given by Robbie Coltraine (Thomas) although his presence is hardly needed for plot purposes.
Given we are told so little about what has happened before (we only know he has kept quiet on his then boss?) or why he went to prison for it is hard to draw solid conclusions about Hoskins. We only know he is not too bright and has had a child, who still loves him despite everything.
Naturally he falls in love with Tyson and finds that he is being used all over again. Although only to find her drug addicted former girlfriend who is trapped with a violent black pimp. Micheal Caine crops up as a growling sleazy pimp master with more than a passing hint of his Jack Carter from the film Get Carter.
Credit director Neil Jordan for trying to crank-up what could easily be a slice-of-life drama, but the finale gets us in to Martin Scorsese country and cuts across the pacing and thrust of what has gone before.
One of those might-have-been movies that falls down because it bites off more than in it can chew. As a portrait of low, high and middle ground vice in London's famous Soho district it is bang on the money, but sadly it has ambitions above its station and tries to be a thriller and chase movie as well.
Hoskins is excellent as our guide and driver (George) and Kathy Tyson (Simone) is his match as the class tart with a heart. Good support is given by Robbie Coltraine (Thomas) although his presence is hardly needed for plot purposes.
Given we are told so little about what has happened before (we only know he has kept quiet on his then boss?) or why he went to prison for it is hard to draw solid conclusions about Hoskins. We only know he is not too bright and has had a child, who still loves him despite everything.
Naturally he falls in love with Tyson and finds that he is being used all over again. Although only to find her drug addicted former girlfriend who is trapped with a violent black pimp. Micheal Caine crops up as a growling sleazy pimp master with more than a passing hint of his Jack Carter from the film Get Carter.
Credit director Neil Jordan for trying to crank-up what could easily be a slice-of-life drama, but the finale gets us in to Martin Scorsese country and cuts across the pacing and thrust of what has gone before.