Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, believable, unlike usual tripe, superb acting
Review: Kudos to the casting direction for finding truly believable characters from the smallest bit part to the lead. Jason Patric was cynical enough to have actually accepted such an offer as was made by sleazy dealers. His love for his father was so delicately displayed that it belied some of his cynicism. Having done extensive traveling I enjoyed the scenery, but being much too busy to spend time with most immature plots dwelling on excessive violence rather than story material, this film was highly recommended and I agree with every word of praise. It isn't for children who enjoy cars, boats, planes and buses being blown up. But then some of us who would enjoy watching a good film are adults.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, believable, unlike usual tripe, superb acting
Review: Kudos to the casting direction of Incognito the first excellent movie I have watched in ages for finding truly believable characters from the smallest bit part to the lead. Jason Patric was cynical and arrogant enough to have actually accepted the offer made by sleazy dealers. His love for his father was so delicately displayed that it belied some of his cynicism. And his gradual mellowing after meeting Irene Jacob was tangible. Having done extensive traveling I enjoyed the scenery, but being much too busy to spend time with most immature plots dwelling on excessive violence rather than story material, this film was highly recommended and I agree with every word of praise. It isn't for the young who enjoy cars, boats, planes and buses being blown up. But then some of us who would enjoy watching a good film are adults.
Rating: 
Summary: Not terrible, not at all great
Review: Let me start by saying that this film has a few problems. First and foremost is the portrayal of the Harry Donovan character by Jason Patric. Yes, he is a selfish guy--so much so that he steals a car if he feels like it. The juxtaposition of this type of behavior with his supposed tenderness toward the female lead, played by Irene Jacob, just doesn't make it; it's absolutely not credible.Equally as bewildering is how the Jacob character can fall for a guy who so completely contradicts her refined sensibilities. One moment she's yelling at him for being such a jerk (he is); the next, she's falling into his arms, close to swooning because of the power of his LOVE. Oh yeah, baby. In addition, there are several logical loopholes in the film, particularly during the trial scene when the judge completely overlooks some of the criminal acts Donovan DID do. As minor as they might have been, they're still illegal. This was pretty annoying. So what's good about it? Rod Steiger as Donovan's father is excellent. And the entire sequence of how a masterwork of art can be forged is truly riveting. As well, the color palette--not only of Donovan's painting, but of the film itself is great. Of equal merit is the cinematography of the various locales throughout the film--it's beautiful. Ian Holm, in an uncredited role, turns in, as usual, a solid performance. If only he were featured more in the film. Here's an actor who can do no wrong. Interesting, because (I don't remember his name), the British actor who plays the chief villain is one of the very few British actors I have seen on screen whom I did NOT like--too over the top. So visually this is a feast, but the annoyances of the two leads and their wildly inconsistent behavior is a bit much. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Not terrible, not at all great
Review: Let me start by saying that this film has a few problems. First and foremost is the portrayal of the Harry Donovan character by Jason Patric. Yes, he is a selfish guy--so much so that he steals a car if he feels like it. The juxtaposition of this type of behavior with his supposed tenderness toward the female lead, played by Irene Jacob, just doesn't make it; it's absolutely not credible. Equally as bewildering is how the Jacob character can fall for a guy who so completely contradicts her refined sensibilities. One moment she's yelling at him for being such a jerk (he is); the next, she's falling into his arms, close to swooning because of the power of his LOVE. Oh yeah, baby. In addition, there are several logical loopholes in the film, particularly during the trial scene when the judge completely overlooks some of the criminal acts Donovan DID do. As minor as they might have been, they're still illegal. This was pretty annoying. So what's good about it? Rod Steiger as Donovan's father is excellent. And the entire sequence of how a masterwork of art can be forged is truly riveting. As well, the color palette--not only of Donovan's painting, but of the film itself is great. Of equal merit is the cinematography of the various locales throughout the film--it's beautiful. Ian Holm, in an uncredited role, turns in, as usual, a solid performance. If only he were featured more in the film. Here's an actor who can do no wrong. Interesting, because (I don't remember his name), the British actor who plays the chief villain is one of the very few British actors I have seen on screen whom I did NOT like--too over the top. So visually this is a feast, but the annoyances of the two leads and their wildly inconsistent behavior is a bit much. Too bad.
Rating: 
Summary: At Last - A Different Storyline
Review: The story of a insecure young painter, son of a noted artist, who is nevertheless a master art forger. A legend in forgery circles at a young age, he is approached by men who want him to forge a painting that has never been seen before - one rumored to have been painted by the Dutch master, Rembrandt. I enjoyed this movie because, at age 56, I've seen almost every movie storyline there is 20 times or more and there is little interest to be held by storylines that are so predictable. The way Patric's likeable character went about forging the painting was fascinating..... how do you cheat scientific analysis of the canvas and oils in the painting that, if authenticated, could be worth 10 or 20 million dollars? A movie to watch and enjoy, it will force your mind to "think" for at least a few minutes - unlike the majority of the pablum cherned out by Hollywood these day. A great "little" movie - a keeper in my estimation.
Rating:
Summary: The graphics and special features make this a "must see".
Review: This DVD really shows off the DVD format. Motion graphics, video previews of scenes, interesting pieces on art restoration and art forgery, as well as interviews with the stars. A running commentary is given by the director, the writer, and the film composer, and they're not always in agreement. It makes for an interesting interchange of ideas from the creative team behind the motion picture. The audio is excellent and is in 5.1 in English and in French. Although the film may not have had much exposure at the box-office, this DVD should not be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Good Plot and Good Performances
Review: This film is propelled by a good plot and the performances of Patric and Steiger. Harry Donovan is a jerk, but remember that he is an anti-hero, and he gradually becomes more likable as the film goes on. Great detail goes into the making of the forgery. One small flaw is that Ian Holm was wasted in a bit part. He should have been the main villian.
Rating:
Summary: An exciting action thriller about an art forger
Review: This movie is a fast-moving exciting thriller about art-forger, Jason Patrick. Many twists and turns, and an interesting surprise ending. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: A truly satisfying adventure drama
Review: This movie is definitely one of those undiscovered treasures sitting on a video store shelf. I had decided to catch up on some Irene Jacob movies and found this one co-starring Jason Patric. Patric has the ability to be either annoying (e.g. Speed 2) or sympathetic, and despite the criticisms I have seen here that the character he plays is a jerk, I found his behavior necessary for the storyline. He plays Harry Donovan, a young art forger resentful of the art industry's machinations, yet stuck in his own cycle of forgery and missing opportunities to be recognized for his own talent.
Donovan is approached by three sleazy Brit art dealers who commission him to forge a Rembrandt for half a million dollars, and after initially rebuffing them, he takes up the challenge.
Having taken art in high school and as a sometime hobby, it was fascinating to watch Donovan at work; intently studying Rembrandt's works in Europe's art museums and libraries, carefully shopping for materials that would make his forgery appear authentic, and then imitating the Rembrandt style to perfection.
Along the way, he meets the lovely Marieke van den Broeck (Irene Jacob), who as a student of art restoration, unwittingly gives Donovan access to a Rembrandt from which he gets paint samples. She is attracted by Donovan's passion for art and his indignation at the art world's injustice (guys like Van Gogh died penniless). Watching Donovan verbally demolish two French art snobs is a hoot. Marieke is enthralled. Things get hot and heavy.
Of course, one could guess he would be double-crossed by the sleazy art dealers. He has to steal his own painting and go on the run, kidnapping Marieke on the way. I know a lot of this is contrived, but boy, it was entertaining.
This movie made me appreciate Jason Patric as an actor, and Irene Jacob is simply lovely to watch. She conveys an innocent, unpretentious beauty, and like many French actresses, she is not shy of nudity. We also get admirable supporting characters in the form of Rod Steiger as Donovan's artist father, and Ian Holm as an art dealer.
Rating:
Summary: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.
Review: Tragically uneven, INCOGNITO features beautiful European scenery..and an engaging look into the world of fine art. As a suspense thriller, it offers as many twists and turns as the viewer can handle, but repeatedly slows and stumbles through underdeveloped sub-plots, and shallow performances by the main characters. Patric is wonderful as the angry young forger, but fails miserably in any instance where he is to convey sensitivity or romance. Irene Jacob is a wonderful actress, as witnessed in the two Kieslowski movies, but can't deliver the vague Prof. Marieke van den Broeck . As for the storyline featuring Rod Steiger, and his relationship with his son (Patric), it starts slow, before totally petering out all together. Interesting and beautiful as a travelogue, it's worth the rent if you stick with it to the end.
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