Below Average
Summary
Although the film has some decent production values and nice locales, and Dolph of course, it also has a confusing plot and muddled finale that severely limits it’s entertainment potential.
Plot: Jason Price is a suave, and off the books, fixer for the government who makes problem witnesses disappear through identity erasure and relocation. When one of his clients disappears, Price must untangle a web of deceit and murder to uncover the truth.
Review: I always try and catch any film that attracts my attention, but somehow I never saw this 2001 Dolph flick, which surprises me because I think he’s awesome.
Dolph gets to show a more suave side in Hidden Agenda. He’s a cool, James Bond-type by day, and a swanky restaurant owner by night. Dolph seems to be having fun playing this gentler role, and it suits his easy-going charm perfectly. He’s definitely the best thing in this flick.
The supporting players are filled with Canadian actors (where the pic was shot) who do fine but most of them are unremarkable and highly disposable.
The plot is pure spy hokum, and thanks to a convoluted screenplay, isn’t the easiest to follow. It’s also somewhat light on action, and while I get it’s more of a thriller than an action film, Dolph’s talents seem criminally underused. There’s a couple of gunfights and some good fisticuffs, but the MTV style editing and obnoxious techno music seriously undermine everyone’s efforts and seriously date the film.
The Montreal scenery however is pretty nice and the constant snowfall is perfect for the film’s murky plot line. I can’t help but feel had the production just shot a straight forward film, and let the audience decipher the plot, it would have been a much better film. Instead, Hidden Agenda is just another thriller with grand ambitions and shoddy execution.
If you like Dolph, who’s great, check it out, but I doubt you’ll remember this flick in a week after watching it.
