I have to admit that Gabriel Byrne is one of my favourite actors and it was a joy to see him play so well in this movie. Ditto Jeremy Irons who was superb as Aramis..., John Malcovich played, well John Malcovich... and unfortunately Gerard Depardui was terribly miscast. I have said this again and again and perhaps one day directors will get it. When French people are in France speaking French they DO NOT HAVE AN ACCENT.... so it was hugely inappropriate to cast Depardu as a Frenchman... cast among English speaking actors he appeared to be a foreigner in his own country (ditto the girl who played Christine and the woman who plays the queen). Either have EVERYONE with accents (however hugely inappropriate that may be) or No one has an accent. Despite that Depardu was wonderful in his role and hugely funny (although I am not sure he was meant to be). I would have perhaps cast another American or English actor in the role. Leonardo DiCaprio was more than passable after the awful "Titanic" and the rest of the supporting cast were wonderful (although I think Stephen Rea sometimes thought he was in a Christmas pantomime and was just waiting for the boos from the crowd). Needless to say the entire movie is worth watching for the pure beauty of Byrne and Irons..., classic acting, understated, brilliant with beautiful, beautiful voices, it is very sad how underused these wonderful actors are in the business today, they can act the socks off just about every other actor in Hollywood and yet they just don't get the parts that they deserve. (just try and catch how many voice overs both of them do on American adverts - you will be surprised). (Byrne fans by the way should as I do rejoice in "Stigmata" a truly wonderful performance in a wonderfully enegmatic film) I could listen to both Byrne and Irons reading the phone book. It is a joy to see them in the same film.
Review of The Man in the Iron Mask
The Man in the Iron Mask
(I) (1998)
Classic acting, flawed story, but worth the watch.
30 September 2002