MovieChat Forums > The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) Discussion > Does anyone really like DiCaprio's perfo...

Does anyone really like DiCaprio's performance?

posted 12 years ago by codyhoskins
19 replies | jump to latest

I know that this film is probably hugely criticized for the casting of Leo as the historical Louis XIV, given that he had come off of Romeo and Juliet and Titanic and was looked upon as a teen heartthrob for those films. Still, I find it very seductive to see him dressed in that 17th century finery and that stern expression on his face that he absolutely embodied royalty.

Also, even though the king is meant to be the bad guy in the film, Leo didn't exactly approach him in an evil way, but in a very posh and vain manner that showed how laidback and refined he was about living royalty, rather than devote time to feeding his people. Most of the time, he acts sympathetic and understanding of people's wishes (even though he doesn't stay true to his word) and then gets sensitive whenever he feels betrayed. He's really just a guy who wants too much because he thinks its his right as king and becomes dangerous when he doesn't get it all. It's only after he realizes that Christine never really loved him and when he's betrayed by the Three Musketeers and his brother that he becomes more openly hostile and wrathful that he no longer cares what will happen to anyone. I think Leo knew how to go into those areas since a young actor at that time is good with bringing out his immaturity and spoiled attitude when he's playing a character who hasn't entirely grown to manhood and just expects everyone to give him what he wants.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] lemonade_master17 12 years ago

I've always loved him in this movie. He really played two different characters- the facial expressions and mannerisms were never shared. Even when he was Phillippe posing as Louis, he was Phillippe playing Louis, not Louis. The line between them never blurred for me. I was in awe watching when the two characters were seen at the same time- the boat scene, the scene when Louis decides his punishment, and at the Bastille. It really seemed like they got twins to play each role. I've thought Leo was a great actor, and it makes me sad that he gets written off so easily sometimes because he also happens to be extremely attractive...his treatment often reminds me of Brad Pitt.

And I agree with everything you said about his portrayal Louis.

~ j'adore faire l'amour ~

[–] angelayla 12 years ago

I agree.. just watching his reactions in every scene, IF I didn't know better I'd have thought it was in fact twins. He never missed a mark. Everytime he was portraying Phillipe, he had that innocent look about him, empathetic and sincere. But the second it was Louis it was right back to arrogance. I loved this movie and Leo's acting in it.

[–] arunsah 12 years ago

I honestly think Leonardo DiCaprio as a young man/ kid is a superior actor to the adult we see now. His acting skills have been replaced by 'I want to be in a movie that will me an oscar' skills.

[–] on3gin 11 years ago

DiCaprio's best role was as the kid in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." What turned me off in this potboiler is that most of the principals spoke in American accents, especially DiCaprio and Malkovich.

[–] zaraath 10 years ago

The Queen Mother Anne wouldn't have had a French accent either, being Austrian by birth. She also wouldn't have been such a MILF, being born in 1601 and dying the year before the first of Louis XIV's wars, the War of Devolution (1667-1668).

DiCaprio wouldn't have looked that bad in the part if he'd died his hair dark brown and grown a mustache.

[–] sarizonana 11 years ago

He was great in this film.
It's very difficult to play two characters at the same time and Leo did a great job here like another poster said he really marked the difference when he was playing Louis and when he was Philip

[–] edhel23 11 years ago

I didn't like DiCaprio in this movie. Not convicning. It's rather easy to play a goodie and a baddie. One has that cute, innocent look, the other is arrogant. And even in this case his acting was rather dull.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009K5DV6Q

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

I think DiCaprio counted the money and did role efficiently as possible.

Its that man again!!

[–] Zuider_Zee 10 years ago

Not particularly. It would be more truthful to say I enjoyed the movie despite his performance.

[–] jononfire 10 years ago

I agree with all the positive comments here. His performance in both roles was impeccable and well-contrasted, and in that of the young King, extremely and very subtly sexy.

"Believe not what you only wish to believe, but that which truth demands."

[–] willsied8-390-964144 10 years ago

His performance in this role is terrible. Period. I am not a Leo hater by any stretch, in fact I like him as an actor with great talent. In this role, however, he just does not do well. The conveyance of emotion is limited and simplistic. It is a performance that lacks real passion; it lacks subtlety. The film itself is not good, so it is not entirely his fault. The basis of the story--d'Artagnon, and the Dumas stories about him, is tremendous, but this film is weak. Leo is stuck in the middle of a film with many problems, and he does not rise above it.