Spotlight

Spotlight Date: 13-November-05
Spoiler Rating: Medium

A Double Life (1947)

It's easy to spot the role an actor would kill for, the one that's sure to attract the attention of fans, critics, and Academy voters unless he seriously messes it up. The lead in "A Double Life" is such a role, and it paid off for Ronald Colman as he probably hoped it would. In his Oscar-winning performance, Colman plays Tony John, a Broadway star whose artistic intensity catches up with him just as he reaches his peak. After agreeing to tackle "Othello" alongside his ex-wife (Signe Hasso), with whom he maintains a close relationship, Tony begins to lose his grip on reality. He becomes so immersed in Shakespeare's imagination and Othello's jealousy that he cannot leave them on stage, and he eventually poses a threat to himself, his ex-wife, their press agent (Edmond O'Brien), and a waitress who offers him a one-night stand (Shelley Winters). Until the end, when the plot turns to detective story, Colman dominates every scene and runs the gamut from master thespian to lover to pensive older man. Tony John is a showcase for an actor's abilities, and Colman delivers on the promise of the role.

One can only wish that the screenplay did its protagonist more justice. All the pieces are in evidence, but the viewer has to work a little too hard to fit them into place. As such, "A Double Life" is a good candidate for a remake. How much more gripping might it be with heightened tension between the principals? (Winters' waitress feels incongruous; I vote for more focus on the erstwhile spouses.) How much more compelling would Tony be with further explication of his madness? For instance, where does it come from? Is it unique to him? Did his father, a less successful actor, have it? Does it frighten him or does he welcome it as a means to enhance his talent? How does it tie in with the love he bears his wife? Answers or clues to answers like these could polish the script into something really fine.

There you go, Would-be Screenwriters: study "A Double Life" and give Ralph Fiennes or Liam Neeson the role he would kill for.

Copyright © 2005 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.