Title: The Imposter (2012)
Director: Bart Layton
Runtime: 99 minutes
Not only does The Imposter tell an incredible true story from the point of views of all of the major players that were involved, it throws a wrench in that hit me like a ton of bricks, making this an incredibly memorable documentary.
One thing I’ve started paying close attention to while watching documentaries is how well the movie is edited to deliver an emotional punch. The Imposter has one of the stronger editing jobs of all ten (or so) documentaries I’ve watched this “Year of 50 Docs”. The cinematographic style that comes out mostly in the editing (like many documentaries) is one that I fell in love with. The mix of actual footage, reenactments, and new interviews flow perfectly from scene to scene, and help The Imposter stand out in the crowded field of excellent 2012 documentaries.
The Imposter tells a story of a Frenchman who attempts to take over the identity of a missing, 14-year-old Texas boy. Yeah, it is definitely a story that is so absurd that it must be true. As the film progresses, I found my heart racing with anticipation on what would happen next (as someone who did not follow this story when it was breaking in real life). The pacing is spot on, and there is never a dull moment.
It’s amazing how director Burt Layton is able to present his own, unique directorial vision while always keeping the movie about the main cast of players. The substance is equal to the style that Layton presents in that the viewer can lose themselves in the substance thanks to the style. It’s a thing to behold, and The Imposter absolutely deserves to be beheld.
Branden has been a film fan since he was young, roaming the halls of Blockbuster Video, trying to find the grossest, scariest looking VHS covers to rent and watch alone in the basement. It wasn’t until recently, though, that Branden started seeking out the classics of cinema, and began to develop his true passion for the art form. Branden approaches each film with the unique perspective of having studied the art from the inside, having both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in acting. He has been a film critic since 2010, and has previously written for Inside Pulse Movies, We Love Cult, and Diehard Gamefan. His biggest achievement as a film critic, to date, has been founding Cinefessions and turning it from a personal blog to a true film website, housing hundreds of film and television reviews, and dozens of podcasts.
