Hidden Agenda (1990)
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83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(668 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… 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
- Directed By
- Ken Loach
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 11, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- HBO Video
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Though it attempts to make an acceptable theatrical entertainment out of a complex political saga, Hidden Agenda lacks bigscreen impact.
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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.
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Caryn James, New York Times
This quietly explosive film comes to resonate more loudly than melodrama.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Ken Loach's Hidden Agenda must be the most buttoned-down movie about a conspiracy theory ever made.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Its own terms and for much of the way, this is a superior thriller.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Frances McDormand
as Ingrid Jessner
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Brian Cox
as Peter Kerrigan
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Brad Dourif
as Paul Sullivan
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Mai Zetterling
as Moa
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Bernard Archard
as Sir Robert Neil
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Bernard Bloch
as Henri
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Maurice Roëves
as Harris
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John Benfield
as Maxwell
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Michelle Fairley
as Teresa Doyle
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Oliver Maguire
as Supt. Fraser
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Maureen Bell
as Mrs. Molloy
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Stephen Brigden
as Army Major
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Victoria Scott D'Angelo
as Journalist
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Kym Dyson
as Carol
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Gerry Fearon
as Taxi Driver
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Llew Gardner
as TV Announcer
- Ron Kavana
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Patrick Kavanaugh
as Alec Nevin
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John Keegan
as Detective Sergeant Hughts
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Ivan Little
as TV Reporter
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Desmond McAleer
as Sgt. Kennedy
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Jim McAllister
as Liam Philibin
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Bryan McCann
as Molloy
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John C. McDonnell
as Labour MP
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Ian McElhinney
as Jack Cunningham
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Mandy McIlwaine
as RUC Policewoman
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Robert Patterson II
as Ian Logan
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Kathleen Smith
as News Reporter
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George Staines
as Tall Man
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Terry Woods
as Musician
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Jim Norton
as Brodie
