Movie spotlight
The Devil Who Limped
The film is a 125-minute, black-and-white biography of French priest and diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838), who served for 50 years under five different French regimes: the Absolute Monarchy, the Revolution, the Consulate, the Empire, and the Constitutional Monarchy. Its title comes from one of the main historical nicknames for Talleyrand, that he shares with demon king Asmodeus and English poet Lord Byron.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this comedic romance, a disabled war veteran, Arthur, finds himself in a precarious situation when he is tasked with convincing a wealthy heiress, Brenda, to invest in his brother's struggling business. Arthur, pretending to be a suave businessman, uses his charm and wit to win Brenda over, all while navigating his own insecurities about his disability and the developing feelings between them.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'The Devil Who Limped' received a lukewarm reception from critics, who generally found its plot predictable and its humor mild. While the performances of the lead actors were sometimes praised, the film was largely considered a forgettable entry in the romantic comedy genre of its time.
What Reviewers Say
The film's premise is charming but ultimately underdeveloped.
Performances are adequate, but do little to elevate the thin script.
A lighthearted but unremarkable romantic comedy.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Devil Who Limped' is not widely documented. However, reviews that are available suggest a generally indifferent response, with some viewers finding it a pleasant, albeit simple, diversion.
Fun Fact
The film marked one of Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s early forays into comedy after a career primarily associated with more dramatic roles.
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