Director: Bart Layton
Starring: Frédéric Bourdin (himself), Adam O'Brian, Carey Gibson (herself), Nancy Fisher (herself), Charlie Parker (himself)
Year: 2012
Language: English
UK rental release: January 2013
IMDb
LoveFilm
This week, following the end of my horror season, I wanted to get some normality back into filmbore. And what better way to do that than review a documentary film. Yet, this story is astonishing you'll hardly believe it normal, as we delve into the crazy world of one man's adventure into the power of stealing identity with The Imposter.
Back in 1994, Nicholas Barclay, from San Antonio, Texas, disappeared aged just 13. This tragic disappearance of a loved young boy cracked the rigidity of his family, as they longed for his return. Over 3 years pass and there's a phone call made to the US authorities...from Spain! A couple who are touring the country chance upon a scared kid, claiming to be from America. Upset and frightened, they want to help and their contact with the US begins a chain reaction of bizarre events.
But who is this sixteen year old? A stranger. A pretender. Even cloaking himself in false adolescence to be someone else; someone younger than him. When local Spanish police officers locate him at a phone booth he acts in just the right way to fool them. He elicits certain responses from them by his chosen mannerisms, all meticulously planned out. As he's not a teenager at all - his name is Frédéric Bourdin and he is 23 years old!
Unloved as a child, he craves the care another child would have experienced. Taken into a nearby orphanage, he stays as quiet as he can, so as not to give the game away. He only wants shelter and to be cared for. But when he is forced to give
the orphanage details of his identity,or face jail time, he manufactures an
opportunity for himself so as to create a persona for protection.
With the excuse of US to Spanish time zones, meaning
the orphanage will have to wait until morning to make further contact, he convinces them to let him stay in their office overnight. Here is where he plans to build a profile, discovering details on a young Texan boy called Nicholas Barclay, missing for three years, and he takes the necessary action to place himself directly in his shoes.
The FBI get involved to bring "Nicholas" to the US and to the family. Nicholas Barclay's sister, Cary Gibson, flies to Spain to get him. While she is en route, he changes his image to be more convincing, dying his hair and getting tattooed. And when she arrives she is so overcome she's adamant he is her brother. Carey has no idea that she's travelling with a stranger.
His reward for changing his identity - to be reborn. He keeps getting lucky, taking little steps each time, yet he gets in so deep he can't escape. Can he not foresee the further pain he would cause this family? And once he's crossed this line, can he ever go back?
Part documentary, part filmed, The Imposter is a unique piece. Throughout, it's not always filmed with the standard docu-style, making it very filmic. In it's scenes of re-enactment it is dramatically shot, even allowing the cutting in of old TV footage in parts to add extra character to the overall picture.
In fact. you're never really sure what's real or what's not even in some moments, including the "talking heads" moments. This was intentional. Interviews
are flipped from voxpops style to voice overs of acted footage,
while mimed by our lead amidst the events for an interactive feel. This
technique is very effective, holding great impact on screen.
How Bart Layton has built this film is bordering on genius. We experience the
events and learn the facts as the individuals do, involving you in the
unravelling mystery in a manner chronologically mirrored to how it truly
happened. Every interview and newly found fact turned over new rocks, leading Layton and his producer, Dimitri Doganis, to return on a number of occasions to uncover more. As we watch, we feel what they
felt while making this docu-film, which is a binding necessary to take you
on this ride.
One hidden motor that drives this film is the family's blindness and/or motives. You may find yourself questioning certain views and actions, especially as you venture further into their situation. It's a window into the pain and confusion felt by a family who has lost
someone but without answers, paired with their elation at the chance of
reunion. How would you react if you were in their place? Emotions, fatigue and desperation can alter your perception; twist
what you see to what you believe you want to see. This is realised in
this film in such a fascinating way, be it dark and peculiar.
It also highlights the old complication of when lies go too far. When such aspersions grow beyond your control you have to get more complex
and ridiculous, making the incredible credible. The evolving case that
Frédéric puts forward to the authorities to explain his abduction is so
extravagant it has to be believed. The more unreal, the more real it seems...this
is what all successful con men do.
It's interesting what actions you can take to steal an identity, as Frédéric demonstrates. As exorbitant
as the story is, you find yourself engulfed by it; to be awed by the
staggering success of Frédéric's lies. A lot of this is down to both the
compelling chances he took and his enigmatic portrayal and delivery of
the events. He truly is an intriguing character and it's absolutely
fascinating to try and figure out what goes on in his warped mind.
As a master of manipulation, you feel a part of his con, initially buying into his sympathetic manner. Yet, through his selfish drive, there's a coldness to his actions - methodical, automated. Learning of his upbringing may add gravitas and motive to his actions, while clearly not justifying them, but it's perplexing how a
human being can have so much mental stamina, applying it to deceiving a
grieving family and in doing so defying the simple natural instinct of
recognition and longing? This is unbelievably realised further when, through maybe believing
his own hype, he takes the bold step in speaking to the media, building further absurdity and risk. Is he doing this to try and convince himself
that he is Nicholas Barclay?
The fallout
from Bourdin's actions is both uncomfortable and astounding. Even more wondrous is the appearance of one particular
man's instinct (private detective Charlie Parker). His part in the tale begins to unravel the
embellishment, and his actions play a huge role in in the finale of this truly breathtaking true story...of a man who could be the world's finest actor.
He fooled the
Spanish police, the US embassy, the FBI and, even more shockingly,
Nicholas Barclay's family. He may have even fooled himself. But when it's over , you'll be overwhelmed by what he's achieved. Yet, when you cast your mind over the film you've just allowed to penetrate your belief in humanity, at it's heart it's just a tale of a man who wants to be loved and a family who need to love someone.
Don't forget to leave comments below, tweet me @filmbore or post on my Facebook page here.
Alternatively, you could contact me directly about this film or my other reviews on pickoftheweek@filmbore.co.uk
Looks pretty interesting. Am going to acquire this and check it out. Cheers for the great review
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Andrew. It's an unusual piece and pretty alarming. You'll love it!
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