The Great Impostor

Something of a precursor to the later Catch Me If You Can (although both films deal with separate real-life figures), The Great Imposter is an enjoyable, if fairly lightweight, drama that raises intriguing questions that it doesn't really answer. Some people will undoubtedly be bothered by the lack of a weightier approach to this story; after all, Demara is not only committing fraud, he is placing people's health and/or lives in jeopardy by doing so. In addition, the psychological questions implicit in such a personality -- and the effect these would have on those closest to him -- are not really explored, even when they are briefly raised. However, Imposter is pretty upfront about its intentions, which is to tell a good story without going into too much detail about the consequences, and at this it succeeds admirably. The screenplay is deftly constructed, and Robert Mulligan's direction is swift, yet leaves enough room to linger occasionally so that the dramatic impact can be built up. Tony Curtis is quite good as this "Teflon" character, changing guises and personalities as the need dictates. Edmond O'Brien is also quite good, and the tooth scene between him and Curtis is a definite high point. Karl Malden and Raymond Massey also score as a couple of religious figures who figure prominently. If one can accept the tone and scope that the filmmakers have established in telling this story, one is likely to have quite a good time. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide