Review: 'Iron Mask' another chance to ogle DiCaprio

March 13, 1998
Web posted at: 1:24 p.m. EST (1824 GMT)

From Reviewer Paul Clinton

(CNN) -- Teen-age girls, one of the biggest segments of the film-going audience, will now have another Leo DiCaprio shrine at which to worship: His blockbuster film "Titanic" goes head to head Friday against "The Man in the Iron Mask," in which he also plays the lead(s).

Paul Clinton reviews "The Man in the Iron Mask" Watch the movie trailer

The film is, of course, based on one of the most popular of the many "Three Musketeers" stories written by French novelist Alexandre Dumas, the 19th century's version of Harold Robbins. The legend of a man in an iron mask, imprisoned in the Bastille during the reign of King Louis XIV, has been embraced by Hollywood ad nauseum, with three films dedicated to this particular musketeers' tale alone.

So, here we go again. The basic story is the same. King Louis XIV has a twin brother, Phillip, whom the king has hidden away in an iron mask so he can't threaten the throne. Naturally, these historical Doublemint twins are total opposites in personality: Louis is evil and a bad ruler, while Phillip is an innocent, kind man who would make a much better king of France.

Enter the three musketeers to make a switch and save the country.

It seems that appearing in a "Three Musketeers" movie is almost a rite of passage for Hollywood leading men. Despite being sick of Leo mania, I have to admit that DiCaprio fills Louis' high heels rather well. His French accent comes and goes faster than a train in the Paris Metro, but he pulls off the dual role with relish.

However, I just don't get the sex symbol thing. Doesn't a male sex symbol at least have to shave and look a little older than -- maybe 14? There is one moment in the film that really got me. The king beds the object of his dubious affections, Christine, played by Judith Godreche. After the deed is done, the two are facing each other in bed, with thin, twin shoulders disappearing into dual blond hair, flowing over their respective pillows. I swear, it took me a couple of seconds to figure out who was who!

Portions of the trailer
	1.8M/40 sec./160x120 QuickTime movie

That aside, there is plenty of swashing and buckling here, and the real treats are the actors playing the musketeers. There are a number of twists and turns in the plot that keep the story somewhat fresh. But the best device is the portrayal of the musketeers as aging warriors, who summon their old idealism to aid God and country one more time.

Jeremey Irons is perfect as the cynical Aramis. Gerard Depardieu is delightful as Porthos, who has all his lusty appetites but too many stomach problems to carry through. Gabriel Byrne holds the film together as the ever-loyal D'Artagnan.

But John Malkovich didn't work for me. When he was raging in anger, I believed him. But when he became kind and thoughtful, I didn't buy it. I wonder what that's all about?

The production values are excellent and going on location in France pays off. The movie is filmed at chateaux from that period, giving the piece a feel of authenticity.

Randall Wallace, who wrote "Braveheart," also proves to have a deft hand in this, his directorial debut.

This story has been reinvented more often than Madonna's career, but, overall, this version is a satisfying romp. I just hope this is the final time Hollywood tackles this tale. Stick a fork in it. It's done!

"The Man in the Iron Mask" is rated PG-13 for violence and some sex and nudity, and runs 130 minutes.

Related sites:

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• The Man in the Iron Mask - Internet Movie Database
• The Man in the Iron Mask - Official site

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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	further reading on Alexandre Dumas

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