Hidden Agenda (1990)

78% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(624 ratings)

This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group… More This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war-torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government, he is killed, and a top-secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case, Inspector Kerrigan (Brian Cox) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death, which seems to be related to rumors of a high-ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris (Maurice Roeves), a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together, they look for the top-secret tape. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Ken Loach
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 11, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Apr 16, 2002
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Though it attempts to make an acceptable theatrical entertainment out of a complex political saga, Hidden Agenda lacks bigscreen impact.
Caryn James, New York Times
This quietly explosive film comes to resonate more loudly than melodrama.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Ken Loach's Hidden Agenda must be the most buttoned-down movie about a conspiracy theory ever made.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Its own terms and for much of the way, this is a superior thriller.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Well-intentioned, but rather murky.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
It's made with the flaggelatory ardour that Ken Loach brings to all his films, a hard edged realism pounded into the mortar of cinema with naturalism
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
There's plenty of evidence of Loach's undiminished power as a film-maker, and equally ample evidence that something is very rotten in the state of Northern Ireland.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Made in 1990, it feels and looks like it's from 1980. Frances McDormand is an especially snoozy disappointment in a woefully miscast role.
, Film4
Gripping stuff, even if the outbreak of peace in Northern Ireland has somewhat blunted the message.
Dan Lybarger, Lawrence Journal-World
Hidden Agenda could be accused of being dogmatic (Loach's films frequently slam the U.K. government), but the director keeps a sense of gritty authenticity throughout.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Simplistic and unconvincing, but with some power
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
It's good for a watch but far from a perfect film.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
The film is a bit slow and at times slightly strained, and there are moments when you'll be hard-pressed to understand all the dialogue -- but on the whole it is effective and chilling.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Cast

            Frances McDormand as Ingrid Jessner

            Brian Cox as Peter Kerrigan

            Brad Dourif as Paul Sullivan

            Mai Zetterling as Moa

            Bernard Archard as Sir Robert Neil

            Bernard Bloch as Henri

            Maurice Roëves as Harris

            John Benfield as Maxwell

            Michelle Fairley as Teresa Doyle

            Oliver Maguire as Supt. Fraser

            Maureen Bell as Mrs. Molloy

            Stephen Brigden as Army Major

            Victoria Scott D'Angelo as Journalist

            Kym Dyson as Carol

            Gerry Fearon as Taxi Driver

            Llew Gardner as TV Announcer

            Ron Kavana
            
            Patrick Kavanaugh as Alec Nevin

            John Keegan as Detective Sergeant Hughts

            Ivan Little as TV Reporter

            Desmond McAleer as Sgt. Kennedy

            Jim McAllister as Liam Philibin

            Bryan McCann as Molloy

            John C. McDonnell as Labour MP

            Ian McElhinney as Jack Cunningham

            Mandy McIlwaine as RUC Policewoman

            Robert Patterson II as Ian Logan

            Kathleen Smith as News Reporter

            George Staines as Tall Man

            Terry Woods as Musician

            Jim Norton as Brodie
See full cast