- George Cukor's A Double Life is a unique film noir arranged around an unstable stage actor, Tony John (Ronald Colman), who becomes truly lost in his roles. Back when Tony was starring in the raucous comedy A Gentleman's Gentleman, the constant infusion of laughter and joy into his life was a good thing. Now that he's signed on to play Othello, however, his ex-wife and co-star Brita Kaurin (Signe Hasso) is understandably worried about Tony's mental health. At first, Tony's problems manifest themselves as temper flare-ups and half-muttered Shakespearean monologues. Before long, he begins channeling Othello's jealousness into his interactions with Brita and the show's press agent, Bill Friend (Edmond O'Brien). The final stage of Tony's illness revolves around reenactments of Othello's famous strangulation scene with both Brita and an unfortunate local waitress named Pat (Shelley Winters).
- Although there are relatively few surprises to be encountered in the plot of A Double Life, its excellent cinematography (by Milton R. Krasner) and clever use of mirror images provide plenty of visual treats. The film also features impressive location footage from Times Square and other New York environs. Colman's performance is strong enough to help get the audience through the film's less exciting stretches, and Winters is great as a working girl who would happily massage anyone who could help her make connections in the acting world. Character actors Ray Collins, Whit Bissell, and Millard Mitchell add the occasional dash of flavor, but the main course is Colman, through and through.
- Screenplay by real-life married couple Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin.
