This movie is very good, it's that very typical edgy and raw crime drama that the UK used to make in the past, but I so loved the quirky bits in the movie - the white rabbit, the dwarfs, the horse at the service station, the conversation about crime novels, the corny sunglasses.
I had such a good time watching this movie.
This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.
Gritty? It's as gritty as an episode of Miami Vice. The *shocking* reveals -- Simone's S&M attire, her lesbian confession -- haven't aged well.
Not to mention the story is an absolute mess. Robbie Coltrane's character is interesting, but is completely wasted. The relationship between father and daughter is woefully underdeveloped and awkwardly included in the final shot.
Good character study, but pretty limited as a crime drama.
I thought of it more as a drama/thriller rather than a crime drama. It has a lighter tone as we experience it through Bob Hoskin's naive, affable & comical character George.
The theme is an exploration of the enigmatic woman Mona Lisa, as the eponymous title suggest. She's as mystery like the Da Vinci painting to George, who tries to understand her throughout the duration of the film.
In addition, "the ice pick" as a murder weapon reference which is mentioned in conversation by Robbie Coltrane's character about crime fiction, made me wonder if that inspired Paul Esztrehas when he wrote Basic Instinct a couple of years later...