Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 3.5 |
| Audio |  | 4.5 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
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
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
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
- A Theatrical Trailer (2:03, HD) has been included.
Hidden Agenda Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
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.
