In this case, the monarch in question is Gwang Hae (Lee Byung-hun), fifteenth king of the Joseon dynasty, and his body double is a courtesan house performer named Ha-Seon (also played by Lee). Naturally, the rascal is petrified by the prospect of being the king`s body double, as Gwang Hae`s autocratic rule has made him the target of assassination attempts.
It may not the freshest of premises, but Masquerade possesses an eccentric charm that makes it compelling. The plot only kicks off around the half hour mark, when Ha-Seon finds himself thrust into the role of emperor, with all the culture shock and responsibility that the role entails. Once it gets started though, the film serves up a generally compelling blend of drama and earthy humor.
For a movie about courtly intrigue, there`s a fair bit of levity in Masquerade, although its occasional scatological jokes border on the low-brow. Director Choo Chang-min manages to maneuver between dramatic tension and comedic episodes with relative ease, and the film`s period visuals are rich and immersive without ever becoming a distraction. The same, however, cannot be said for its soundtrack, which has a cloyingly obvious quality during its dramatic moments.
Masquerade`s pacing meanders at times, but watching the character of Ha-Seon grow into his kingly role proves to be entertaining even during its more leisurely moment. This is largely thanks to Lee Byung-hun, who puts in a bravura, over-the-top performance as the king`s compassionate body double, alternating between imperious and comedically out-of-depth. The rest of the cast, while slightly overshadowed, put in solid, understated performances.
It doesn`t have the epic scope often associated with a period drama, but those who like a large dose of lowbrow levity mixed in with their courtly intrigue will find Masquerade a pleasing diversion.
Summary: Verily, we are rather amused.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Raphael Lim