The List of Adrian Messenger

A nice plaything - I couldn't make up my mind while watching it, but then came the "unmasking ending" and it suddenly became clear to me that John Huston wasn't being serious. How could he be, with such a poor script? In terms of direction (thanks to the beautiful cinematography) it was done to perfection, the acting likewise, and I didn't mind the fact that the actors wrapped in latex masks were recognizable from the others at first sight, quite the opposite. (2012.11.13)

The dramatically declaiming protagonist borders on parody, as do the dialogue and the twists. However, there is very little intentional humor in this comedy, not to mention that the eagerly anticipated costume trick falls completely flat in today's day and age. All the credit therefore goes to Kirk Douglas and his masculine appearance, which can easily stir up, maybe even demolish, all the expectations and surrounding monotony in just a single scene (the one at the piano). The remaining plot and characters, on the other hand, are like ones straight out of the most clichéd paperback farce. (2020.01.17)