It's 1880s London. It's a haven for political exiles and refugees. There is international intrigue and Mr Verloc (Bob Hoskins) is a spy for the Russians. He lives with his wife Winnie (Patricia Arquette) and her mentally weak brother Stevie (Christian Bale). Ossipon (Gérard Depardieu) is a friend and an anarchist. The Russian ambassador (Eddie Izzard) is disappointed with Verloc and demands that he attack the Greenwich Observatory as an attack on science. The crazy Professor (Robin Williams) makes a bomb for him. London police Chief Inspector Heat (Jim Broadbent) investigates the bombing. For the last 7 years, he has made an arrangement with Verloc to be his secret informant.
I'm not impressed with Patricia Arquette's flat voice in this. She just doesn't feel very British. Although she does have one great moment in the last half. Bob Hoskins is as good as this heavy handed plodding story allows. Director Christopher Hampton's shooting style is slow and tired. A more imaginative style is needed here. Hoskins could have been the center of a great paranoid thriller. This has no tension or suspense. It's dark monotonous mood sucks away all interest from the viewer. Everything is so stiff.
I'm not impressed with Patricia Arquette's flat voice in this. She just doesn't feel very British. Although she does have one great moment in the last half. Bob Hoskins is as good as this heavy handed plodding story allows. Director Christopher Hampton's shooting style is slow and tired. A more imaginative style is needed here. Hoskins could have been the center of a great paranoid thriller. This has no tension or suspense. It's dark monotonous mood sucks away all interest from the viewer. Everything is so stiff.