Synopsis
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.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Bob HoskinsVerloc
- Patricia ArquetteWinnie
- Jim BroadbentChief Inspector Heat
- Christian BaleStevie
- Gérard DepardieuOssipon
- Eddie IzzardVladimir
- Peter VaughanThe Driver
- Robin WilliamsAssassin (uncredited)
- Elizabeth SpriggsWinnie's Mother
- Neville PhillipsTicket Clark
Recommendations
- 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. - 67
Austin Chronicle
It's an utterly contemporary film that forces - and rewards - hard reflection on the nature of truth, goodness, and identity. - 50
Christian Science Monitor
Christopher Hampton's film conveys the basic plot of Joseph Conrad's sinuous novel but loses the book's sardonic tone and psychological depth. - 50
San Francisco Examiner
This is a piece of gloriously literary and serious filmmaking, but again it falls prey to misjudgments in pacing and rhythm. - 40
Chicago Reader
Fairly strong on period atmospherics, but it mainly adds up to yet another pointless adaptation of a literary standby. - 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
Variety
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. - 30
The New York Times
The movie, which imagines its principal characters as metaphorically ticking time bombs, never convincingly portrays their passions.
