preview

Analysis Of The Imposter

Decent Essays

“The Imposter” made in 2012, is a film tale that follows the chronicles of Frederic Bourdin, a con artist, who managed to trick an unsuspecting family into believing he was a long lost relative. Bart Layton directed this documentary and uses unconventional techniques to unravel this complicated, unbelievable story.

2) What are some of the themes that are central to the film? How have they been communicated?

Bart Layton built this doc not from one perspective, but from a collection of them. Some stories, like “The Imposter” need a panoptic approach to connect the audience to the film. The themes of manipulation, identity and love are the main themes conveyed by Layton. These themes are communicated through sounds and visual imagery. …show more content…

8) What is the tone or feeling of the film and what is its impact?

Bart Layton uses a wide variety of techniques and devices to convey the emotional tone of the documentary. The constant change of character’s perceptions and slow unraveling of mysteries caused inpatient viewers wanting more. The documentary was designed to reflect on the antihero, Frédéric Bourdin’s past. “The Imposter” uses reenactments and interviews to unfold a murky feel, where truth and fiction morph in an enchanting double helix. Bart Layton highlights Bourdin’s life rather than focusing on Nicholas Barclay. With so many different feelings flooding the audience at once, Layton allows time for the audience to reflect and find conclusions for the unsolved mystery.

Suspicion is raised from the beginning of the film, but shifts to various players as the film unfolds. The imposter himself, has a simultaneously engaging and repellant personality. Bourdin’s audacity in impersonating a missing American child is breathtaking. The fact that he fooled the Barclay family and the FBI is beyond comprehension. It is this tone of incredulity that Layton expertly manipulates in the viewer. Who to trust? Who is telling the truth? What happened to Nicholas? Where is this missing child?

The dramatic tone of the film has only one lighthearted moment. The drive from Dallas Airport, shot in bright light with

Get Access