Rent Hidden Agenda (1990)

Divisive yet Brilliant British Political Thriller - Hidden Agenda review by GI

Ken Loach's political thriller about the murder of an American Civil Rights lawyer investigating torture by the British security forces in Northern Ireland at the height of 'The Troubles' certainly divided audiences especially in the UK. It's loosely inspired by the 'Stalker Enquiry' with Brian Cox playing a top UK detective, Kerrigan assigned to investigate the murder but who finds himself out of his depth in the convoluted politics and twisted morality of Ulster during this time. A small international group of civil rights lawyers led by Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and his partner, Ingrid (Frances McDormand) is preparing a report on the use of torture and a possible 'shoot to kill' policy by the British Intelligence forces. He is given a recording by a disaffected soldier (Maurice Roëves) that he claims has evidence of high ranking politicians in a major plot that includes bringing down the Government. When he is murdered Kerrigan is sent to investigate but finds he is up against an obstructive police force and may himself become a target. Loach makes no attempt to hide his assertion that the security services and British Government were engaged in a dirty war involving a shoot to kill policy. Cox is superb here, a no nonsense copper who faces a crisis of faith in what is a very sharp thriller, with double cross and murder at the heart of the well written story and although director Ken Loach's films are unapologetically political in theme and narrative this is a topnotch British film.