Watch Stormy Monday
- R
- 1988
- 1 hr 33 min
-
6.2 (4,384)
Stormy Monday is a 1988 British neo-noir thriller directed by Mike Figgis that follows a young American couple, Brendan and Kate, who arrive in Newcastle, England, and become involved with a local businessman named Cosmo, who has nefarious ties to organized crime. Cosmo, played by a menacing Tommy Lee Jones, is trying to buy up all the property in Newcastle, including a local jazz club owned by Finney, played by an enigmatic Sting. When Brendan, played by Sean Bean, gets a job at the jazz club, he finds himself caught in the middle of a dangerous power struggle between Cosmo and Finney.
To make matters worse, Brendan falls for Kate, played by Melanie Griffith, a waitress at the jazz club. With Cosmo's goons on his trail and Finney's loyalty in question, Brendan must navigate a dangerous web of deceit and corruption in order to protect himself and the woman he loves.
The film is set against the backdrop of Newcastle's burgeoning redevelopment in the late 1980s, with sleek modern buildings and upscale hotels clashing with the gritty reality of the city's working-class neighborhoods. Figgis, who also wrote the screenplay and composed the film's jazz score, uses this contrast to create a dark and moody atmosphere that perfectly complements the film's themes of corruption and betrayal.
Jones is particularly impressive in his role as the ruthless Cosmo, exuding a quiet intensity that makes him all the more terrifying. Griffith and Bean both turn in strong performances as the film's romantic leads, and Sting brings a quiet intensity to his role as the enigmatic Finney.
One of the film's standout sequences is a high-speed car chase through the streets of Newcastle, with Figgis brilliantly using the city's architecture to create a thrilling and immersive experience for the viewer. The scene is a testament to the director's skill at blending visceral action with a deeper thematic resonance.
Overall, Stormy Monday is a stylish and engaging thriller that skillfully explores themes of power, corruption, and the clash between old and new. With a strong cast and a visually stunning setting, it remains a standout of the neo-noir genre.
Stormy Monday is a 1988 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.