Review of The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) by Jenny L — 31 Jul 2009

France, the 17th Century: King Louise XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) rules from his palace at Versailles, an Absolute Monarch, Louise lives in luxury and wealth well an unpopular war leads to wide spread starvation and riots in Paris. He is watched over by his faithful Capt. of Musketeers D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) who despises the Kings excess' well seeking to uphold his sworn oath to protect him. His former comrades, the Legeandary Three Musketeers have retired. Aramis (Jeremy Irons) has become a priest, seeking forgivness for his past, Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) runs a Parisan brothel squeezing every ounce of joy he can from life and Athos (John Malkovich) looks forword to seeing his son Raul marry the lovely Christine and become a Musketeer. But when Louise's eye falls on Christine he arranges Rauls death in battle he makes enemies of the Three Musketeers who join together for one last battle. Aramis has a plan, one that involves a prisoner locked away for 6 years, and whos face is hidden behind a mask of iron....

Not the best swashbuckler, but still a good adventure movie. I'm a sucker for this, the intrigue, swordplay, daring-do, bawdiness and even the romance. DiCaprio, never a favorite of mine, is good as the king, and looks about how one would picture a 17th century ruler. However the real stars are Byrnes, Irons, Malkovich and Depardieu. The Three Musketeers are shown as older, wiser, looking back on there days of glory, yet still holding true to their creed "All for One, One for All". Any one looking for a modern take on the swashbuckler could do a lot worse.

Side Note: There really was a prisoner at the Bastille during Louise XIV reign who was forced to where a mask. His identity has never been discovered, yet numerious theories have been brought forth.

SPOILER WARNING! SPOILER WARNING!

Dicaprio should be commended for pulling off his duel role as the cruel, vain Louise and the prisoner struggling to come to terms with the life stolen from him and the burden thrust upon him. Yet it is Gabriel Byrne as the conflicted D'Artagnan who does the most impressive job. Years earlier he had an affair with the Queen which resulted in her giving birth to twins. We find this out near the end. Earlier in the film Malkovich is talking about his son, how D'Artagnan doesn't know what its like being a father, watch Byrnes eyes, watch his when he is alone with the King, and later the Kings brother. Watch his eyes and tell me he's not acting on a higher level then everyone else.