All For One
Iron Mask Gets to Heart of Dumas

I just started reading Alexandre Dumas' The Man in the Iron Mask, so I won't be able to offer a comparison between the novel and the film. Suffice to say, the film has obviously taken some liberties with the original text. As my friend pointed out in response to something Aramis said, "Dumas didn't use the word 'tits'." True enough.

Despite such liberties, The Man in the Iron Mask seems faithful to the spirit, if not the letter of the text. The Musketeers, a little older than their days of glory, are all here: brooding Athos (John Malkovich), lusty Porthos (Gérard Depardieu), and pious Aramis (Jeremy Irons). Rejoined together, they once again fight for France, but this time against the king and their friend d'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) who is now the captain of the Musketeers.

The story revolves around the young King Louis XIV (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), the son of Louis XIII who the Musketeers faithfully served. Louis XIV is an arrogant snob, who takes advantage of his position as king to seduce women. When Louis sets his sights on young Christine (played by Judith Godreche), events are set in motion which sends her lover (Raul, son of Athos) to his death.

Likewise, Louis XIV is not loved by his people. The citizens of Paris are starving, and he gives them rotten food to eat. Needless to say, he has made enemies. The Musketeers have a plan to overthrow the king, but when they enlist d'Artagnan's aid, he refuses. Still, they seek to carry out their scheme, and discover the perfect opportunity locked away in the dungeon of the Bastille. There, a young man exists who bears a striking resemblance to the king. The prisoner in the iron mask, who -- according to legend -- may be the king's twin brother.

The cast of Iron Mask is superb. I don't think any director could have asked for three better men to play the Musketeers. Malkovich is positively stirring. Depardieu is raunchy, and wonderful comic relief. Irons simply is Aramis. I don't think I can imagine anyone better suited to the role. I must even admit that DiCaprio did a good turn as Philippe, who has more heart and courage than his brother, the King. As Louis XIV, however, DiCaprio seems too seductive and not regal enough.

Byrne, as d'Artagnan, brings tragedy to the story, both in his love for the Queen Mother, Anne of Austria (Anne Parillaud), and for his unwavering loyalty to protect the king. It is fitting that Byrne stand apart from the other Musketeers, if only by his less familiar face. As Porthos so aptly points out, "We're legends to them!"

The settings are beautiful and breath-taking, as are the costumes. The cinematography wonderfully captures the feel of 18th century France. My only complaint, in regards to the way the movie was filmed, deals with the fight scenes. The sense of swashbuckling gave way to the hack and slash editing which fills action movies, making the swordplay seem more like an all-out brawl.

I heartily recommend The Man in the Iron Mask. It offers good entertainment, couched in a compelling story of loyalty, honor, and destiny. There are lessons to be learned from the words of Dumas, who always strives to make his characters become better people.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.

RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 131 min.