6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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 ZetterlingThriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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