The Crimson Mask
Upon watching the opening swordfight, you might think you popped in a Highlander film by mistake. THE CRIMSON MASK is marked by many recognizable genre and film references beyond that and pays homage to several filmmakers while still being remarkably original.
The movie itself is one part Frank Miller, one part Kubrick with a dash of Fincher. The film, directed and written by Elias Plagianos, follows two divergent stories that seemingly have no relation to each other until the third act of the film. Both stories deal with men who are in trouble with money, but who come from two opposite ends of the financial world. Thomas Caine (Joshua Burrow) is a well-to-do businessman who gets in over his head, while Parker (Robert Clohessy) can’t seem to make ends meet as a wrestler. Both lives are affected when they fall prey to a plot that spans the ages as they are seduced into the world of a secret society known as The Crimson Mask.
The movie looks great, with some scenes looking like they are lifted right out of Hollywood films like EYES WIDE SHUT and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. The production design for the individual sets are top notch leaving the audience believing in this fictional New York that the characters inhabit. The way the camera moves, and some of the shots hearken back to the film noir genre and maintains the grittiness that it appears the director was going for. Parts of this film feel like a comic book (hence the Frank Miller reference prior) but leaves enough heart for the audience to actually care about the characters. This is indicative of good pacing and overall storytelling. There wasn’t a moment in this movie when I was at all bored; confused maybe but never bored.
The acting, even in the sword fighting and action scenes were both believable and arresting. While all the leads in this film were excellent, particular attention should be given to the brief appearance of Caitlin Mehner as Artemis. Her character was superbly executed with both an innocence and seductiveness that even actresses with years of experience fail to emote.
THE CRIMSON MASK is the type of independent feature that others should strive to emulate the production quality of. With rich backdrops, characters, and story, this film is sure to make it to at least the cult classic status as the years wears on.
