Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie

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Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie United States

Kino Lorber | 1990 | 109 min | Rated R | Sep 15, 2015

Hidden Agenda (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

6.5
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Overview

Hidden Agenda (1990)

When an American human rights lawyer is assassinated in Belfast, it remains for the man's girlfriend, as well as a tough, no nonsense, police detective to find the truth... which they soon discover to be contained in an audio tape which the man had with him, exposing political manipulations at the highest levels of government. But such underlying agendas require careful considerations to avoid worse things than murder.

Starring: Frances McDormand, Brian Cox, Brad Dourif, Mai Zetterling
Director: Ken Loach

ThrillerInsignificant
DramaInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

  • Audio

    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

  • Subtitles

    English

  • Discs

    25GB Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Playback

    Region A (B, C untested)

Review

Rating summary

Movie4.0 of 54.0
Video3.5 of 53.5
Audio4.5 of 54.5
Extras1.0 of 51.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 5, 2015

1990’s “Hidden Agenda” is a rare film from director Ken Loach that’s driven by an almost traditional escalation of suspense. That’s not to suggest the picture has been dumbed down in any way, remaining in line with Loach’s interests in political and social issues, but it carries a toxic mood that’s reminiscent of the conspiracy subgenre of the 1970s, using paranoia as a powerful cinematic weapon. Loach rarely works this conventional, but he wears the focus well, achieving a surprising balance between dramatic tension and community woes as he once again details the volatility of Great Britain.


Frances McDormand stars as an American activist in Northern Ireland wrecked by the murder of her husband (Brad Douriff), a lawyer who found himself caught between political interests. Brian Cox co-stars as a British investigator on the case, bonding with the visitor as she delves into the details of her spouse’s work and its ties to mass corruption. It’s a lay-up plot for Loach and screenwriter Jim Allen, with the duo shaking up the norm by plunging the viewer into layers of suspicion and cover-up, liberally tossing around accusations and acronyms as omnipresent surveillance carries on without rest. The production creates a pressurized environment, using a routine of bleak discovery to tighten the noose.


Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  3.5 of 5

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't have a vibrant visual reach to work with, as Loach tends to favors softer cinematography with naturalistic lighting. It's a filmic viewing experience, with a steady handle on grain and passable detail, delivering a look at stark interiors and pained close-ups, which register with adequate intensity. Contrast loses a few battles, but it's not a problematic release, with agreeable colors for military uniforms and outdoor greenery, while skintones look a little pinkish. Source is clean, offering only a modest amount of speckling.


Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.5 of 5

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries the tense mood of "Hidden Agenda" with authority, leading with a musical presence that's clean and deep, extending to live performances and marching band sequences. Percussive scoring from Stewart Copeland is also pronounced in a satisfying way, delivering pleasant dimension. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and tight, navigating assorted accents with ideal intelligibility, and emotional ranges are secured, testing the limits of the recording equipment. Atmospherics are present and true, creating community expansive and echoy bureaucratic interiors.


Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  1.0 of 5

  • A Theatrical Trailer (2:03, HD) has been included.


Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.0 of 5

For the most part, "Hidden Agenda" is highly effective, creating a dire space of compromise and threat for its characters, with Loach's commitment to naturalism blending well with more familiar thriller intentions. Embracing its touchy subject matter, Loach keeps tonality steady and performances superb, giving audiences a fighting chance to keep up with decidedly regional hostilities, permitting human reaction to horrors to support colder reads of policy. It's a strong film with a defined vision, while also representing a fascinating stop in Loach's eclectic career.