75
TV Guide Magazine
Writer-director Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Joseph Conrad's widely-read novel is an honorable failure, a screen version that's actually too faithful to its source.
The Secret Agent
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- United Kingdom
- 1996
- · 95m
Director
Christopher Hampton
Cast
Bob Hoskins,
Patricia Arquette,
Jim Broadbent,
Christian Bale,
Gérard Depardieu,
Eddie Izzard
Genre
Drama,
Thriller
In 1880s London, pornographic bookseller Verloc is a double agent for the Russian government, providing information to Chief Inspector Heat about a lazy anarchist organization. In order for the anarchists to be arrested, an act of terrorism must occur. So Verloc decides to set up bombs – which leads to tragedy – not only for himself but also for his family, including wife Winnie and brother-in-law, Stevie.
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What are critics saying?
67
Austin Chronicle by Russell Smith
It's an utterly contemporary film that forces - and rewards - hard reflection on the nature of truth, goodness, and identity.
50
San Francisco Examiner by Barbara Shulgasser
This is a piece of gloriously literary and serious filmmaking, but again it falls prey to misjudgments in pacing and rhythm.
50
Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt
Christopher Hampton's film conveys the basic plot of Joseph Conrad's sinuous novel but loses the book's sardonic tone and psychological depth.
40
Variety by Justin Chang
A dour study of terrorism, 1880s style, The Secret Agent represents an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's only London-based novel, the fidelity of which to the original text does not yield a terrifically exciting film.
40
Empire
The big surprise and highlight is not in the clumsily structured, jerky plot of the monotonous mood but an uncredited Robin Williams, actually chilling as a mad bomber anarchist.
40
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
Fairly strong on period atmospherics, but it mainly adds up to yet another pointless adaptation of a literary standby.
30
The New York Times by Stephen Holden
The movie, which imagines its principal characters as metaphorically ticking time bombs, never convincingly portrays their passions.
25
San Francisco Chronicle by Peter Stack
This thick, leaden production starring Bob Hoskins and Patricia Arquette - and an uncredited Robin Williams - has a sophomoric air, even though it faithfully follows the book.
25
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
This project is dead in the water. Read the book. Better still, read "Victory."
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