It’s nearly impossible to discuss Bart Layton’s documentary The Imposter, without revealing some information that would be considered spoilers. If you want to watch The Imposter uninitiated, I would advise watching it before reading my review. Unfolding like a true-to-life-mystery, The Imposter begins with the disappearance of thirteen-year-old Nicholas Barclay. Last seen on or around June 13, 1994, the blue-eyed, blonde boy dotted with small tattoos, was described as, “13 going on 30.” His disappearance didn’t make the national news; soon, only family members were fighting to find Nicholas.
Layton interviews several family members throughout the film: Beverly Dollarhide, Nicholas’ mother; Carey Gibson, his older sister; and Bryan Gibson, Nicholas’ uncle. One day, out of the blue, Beverly received a call at work from the Spanish authorities. A young man, who claimed to be Nicholas Barclay, had been discovered. He held no documentation. Carey makes her first trip abroad to bring her little brother home. However, the boy she finds has dark skin and brown eyes where Nicholas’ were blue.
Early on, the audience learns that the boy wasn’t Nicholas, but a Frenchman named Frédéric Bourdin, who was apparently a master at impersonating both children and adults, having done so throughout much of the ‘90s. In a bid to avoid jail, Bourdin had the idea to impersonate a missing American boy, and decides to avoid jail by convincing Spanish authorities that his home is Texas. Naturally, The Imposter wonders why the family would ever believe that Frédéric Bourdin was ever Nicholas, when some of his physical characteristics were so obviously different. The film suggests that the family was so happy to have Nicholas home; they simply wanted to believe it was him. At this point, FBI agent Nancy Fisher, who interviewed “Nicholas” / Frédéric when he arrived in America, offers her thoughts, as well as private investigator Charlie Parker, who led the charge that exposed the Frenchman’s true identity.
Layton saw a blurb about Bourdin in a magazine, and decided to investigate further. That research eventually turned into The Imposter. After a lengthy interview with Bourdin in which his own motivations are uncovered, an even scarier thesis is discussed. What if the family embraced Bourdin to cover up something criminal? Investigator Charlie Parker firmly believes that Nicholas’ family knows what happened to him. The film briefly mentions a now deceased half-brother who lived with Nicholas and his mother at the time of the boy’s disappearance. The half-brother was considered a person of interest, but his death in 1998 as the result of a cocaine overdose effectively stalled the investigation. Parker believes that Bourdin’s arrival provided a welcome reprieve for whoever the guilty party is. The family vehemently denies the charges.
The Imposter would be totally unbelievable if it weren’t so true. Bourdin freely admits that when it comes down to it, he only cares about himself. While The Imposter raises more questions than it answers and you may be left wondering if people on both sides of the story are allergic to the truth, one thing remains certain: Nicholas Barclay, last seen in June of 1994, is still missing.
The DVD, from distributor Indomina, presents the film in a solid 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Detail is surprisingly strong, particularly noticeable during close-up shots with the interview subjects. The re-enactments look professional and are shot well. The transfer also sports a nice level of clarity, free of ringing or jagged edges.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital track supports the material well. Dialogue is clear throughout and the surrounds provide some support for the effects and score.
English subtitles are available.
The following special features are included:
- Making The Imposter (41:32) is a rather in-depth look at how The Imposter came together. Bart Layton explains his goals in making the film and how he brought all of the interviewees together. He does admit that many members of Nicholas’ family refused to participate.
- Trailer (2:32)
