THE MASQUERADER is a star vehicle for popular actor Ronald Colman who gets to play not one but two different roles in this production. His first is as a drunken politician in the midst of battling a drug addiction that's threatening to destroy his career. His second is as the politician's lookalike cousin who is tasked with impersonating the politician and thus giving him time to get himself back on his feet.
This type of tale is a familiar one and in THE MASQUERADER's favour, the film utilises some very impressive split screen effects which are almost as good as the one seen decades later in the likes of Van Damme's DOUBLE IMPACT. Colman convinces in the two opposing roles, so it's a pity that the storyline is so weak and dreary. Instead of being full of high drama and important character stuff, THE MASQUERADER just sort of plods along aimlessly, focusing too much on relationships and not on the important career stuff. The twist ending can be seen a mile off and the pacing is so slow that sleep constantly threatens to overwhelm the viewer.
This type of tale is a familiar one and in THE MASQUERADER's favour, the film utilises some very impressive split screen effects which are almost as good as the one seen decades later in the likes of Van Damme's DOUBLE IMPACT. Colman convinces in the two opposing roles, so it's a pity that the storyline is so weak and dreary. Instead of being full of high drama and important character stuff, THE MASQUERADER just sort of plods along aimlessly, focusing too much on relationships and not on the important career stuff. The twist ending can be seen a mile off and the pacing is so slow that sleep constantly threatens to overwhelm the viewer.