Q: How can a film starring Ronald Coleman, Edmond O'Brien, Shelley Winters and Lt. Tragg (I mean Ray Collins), written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, and directed by George Cukor be so awful?A: To quote Shakespeare (who is used abominably in the movie): "It is a tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing..."The characters are poorly drawn, the action, choppy and incoherent; the plot, slow as molasses and yet telegraphed from a mile away.The movie was a big hit with the Oscars in 1947, which only proves the deep wisdom of the "Emperor's New Clothes" all over again. They filled it up with Shakespeare and modern psychobabble and choppy editing and crazy camera angles and no one wanted to admit that they didn't get it.If you want a great Ronald Coleman romance, watch "Random Harvest." If you want a great O'Brien noir, see "D.O.A.", a great Cukor comedy watch "The Philadelphia Story."But don't waste your time on "A Double Life."

A DOUBLE LIFE tells the simple story of a theatre actor who's losing his mind, which means the lines between reality and fantasy are becoming blurred. Things reach a head with his latest performance in the title role of Othello, as he can no longer distinguish between real life and the events of the play, thus putting the lives of his nearest and dearest in danger.This is a film with a straightforward plot and straightforward characters, which nevertheless works thanks to some great direction from George Cukor. The look here is very much rooted in film noir, all atmospheric shadows and angles, and the suspense follows on naturally from the visuals. The Shakespeare side of the narrative gives this a timeless, undated feel and Ronald Colman's excellent performance is more than enough to keep viewers watching.

George Cukor directs a brooding and cynical classic. The distinctive Ronald Coleman is at his best in this piece of Noir about an actor who loses himself in his roles. The acclaimed Anthony John(Colman)has driven his wife Brita(Signe Hasso)away with his highly fueled temper and erratic behavior. But the two manage to continue working together to please their audiences. Things begin to change as John is becoming bored with his career; he reluctantly agrees to play Othello. He gets deep into character as a jealous and murderous man. He begins walking a thin line between illusion and reality and ends up confusing his role with his own life and eventually kills his mistress(Shelley Winters),but has no memory of the dastardly deed.Colman seems faultless in this role. Winters is very impressive as the young woman determined to get away from her squalid life. Also in the cast: Edmond O'Brien, Ray Collins, Joe Sawyer and Whit Bissell.

The successful middle-aged Broadway actor Anthony "Tony" John (Ronald Colman) is a dedicated lonely professional that still loves his former wife Brita (Signe Hasso). They are playing Othello for almost two years and Tony has a breakdown, beginning to lose his mind and sense of reality, confusing his identity with his characters. One night, he meets the waitress Pat Kroll (Shelley Winters) in a distant bar and he spends the night with the easy woman. Then he proposes Brita, who is his best friend, but she refuses to marry him again triggering a jealousy process against their friend Bill (Edmond O'Brien). Tony decides to visit Pat late night and in an insanity process, he lives the situation of Othello killing Desdemona. The police arrest a suspect but Bill wants to prove that Tony is responsible for the murder. Despite the great performance of Ronald Colman, "A Double Life" is an overrated movie with a boring story. First, the situation of a successful actor that loses his identity and blends imagination with reality is hard to believe. Second, Tony's personality and character are very confused and not well-developed; last but not the least, Bill trying to prove that Tony is responsible for the murder is despicable and silly. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Fatalidade" ("Fatality")