Popcorn Reviews With Cybèle: The Man in the Iron Mask

By Cybèle Elaine Werts  
CybeleW@aol.com

First  published in the Shelburne News, Shelburne Vermont

Popcorn Kernel Rating: Three Kernels: A Keeper - well worth seeing.  

Jeremy Iron's cappuccino voice narrates the opening of The Man In The Iron Mask, and it is his gentle sad spirit that sets the tone. Although he is not the raison d'etre of this movie, it is a real pleasure to see him in an adventurous, spiritual, and mildly sexy role. I am weary of his stiff renditions of proper Englishmen, from Damage to Claus Von Buleau. Long hair made a man of him.

But I digress. If it was DiCaprio that pulled in the popcorn girls, it was the remarkable ensemble cast that drew me to this surprisingly non-swashbuckling rendition a four musketeers story. Although DiCaprio's spoiled Louis IV paled faster than coffee creamer next to the overwhelming screen presence of Byrne and Malcovich, he held his own playing the sensitive doe-eyed brother character. Gabriel Byrne, (Smilla's Sense Of Snow, Point of No Return) heads the pack of aging never-quite-made-it-big movie stars of which two, John Malcovich (Dangerous Liaisons, Portrait of a Lady) and Byrne make my top ten actors list. These three plus Depardeau make for four musketeers a bit past their prime as well. Their mission? To adjust attitudes sufficiently to make a spoiled king get his, and make a past wrong right. Can they do it?

Back in the halcyon days of my youth, I saw the 1970's three musketeers remake. I can't say who starred, but the film was definitely swashbuckling. They definitely "did it" then, with swirling cloaks, glittering gold emblems, and swords flashing. Memorable? Not in the slightest. What makes The Man In The Iron Mask special is not that it's an action film, because it isn't. On the surface it's about this spoiled king, his jailed twin brother and the usual struggle for power, money and the babes of the castle. Look a little deeper, and you'll find that it's really about these four men who used to be icons, and who are now mostly has-beens who could use a bath. Not much swirling cloaks, but a lot more bite. A few action scenes satisfied my hunger for emblazoned capes along with a bit of physical comedy via Depardeau that lightened up this somewhat depressing story (at least until the end when justice prevailed).

So, if the plot wasn't anything to write home about, the movie is still a fine buy to see these remarkable talents strut their stuff.

Suggested Gustatorial Accompaniment: Oreos - crusty on the outside, soft on the inside.

Copyright 2000