A dictator having a double is common practice… especially one that is hated by friend and foe alike. Such is the story of Uday Hussein and a man who he plucked from obscurity to be surgically altered to look exactly like him. Director Lee Tamahori (ONCE WE WERE WARRIORS, THE EDGE, DIE ANOTHER DAY) shows the story behind the headlines on this insane son of one of the most famous world leaders of recent memory. But, as solid as the film’s production is, the real star of this film is Dominic Cooper in the role of Uday and Latif. He does an exemplary job of showing both sides and what’s amazing is that, while the two characters look alike, we never question who is who. The narrative stumbles a bit toward the middle of the film (Latif’s attraction to the concubine, Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier) is a little too undefined, for example), overall the film is a fascinating look at the inner workings of this notorious regime. Well made, acted with finesse, and staged brilliantly, THE DEVIL’s DOUBLE is well worth the rental and a solid piece of filmmaking.
~ Thom Carnell
No comments:
Post a Comment