mistaken identities

His masterpiece 'Some Like It Hot' and 'Sunset Boulevard' exploit mistaken identity as both comedic device and tragic commentary on performance and self-deception.

'Shoot the Piano Player' and 'Mississippi Mermaid' repeatedly explore how characters misread each other's identities, revealing deeper truths about desire and deception.

'Rashomon' and 'The Bad Sleep Well' deconstruct identity itself by showing how the same person and events are perceived completely differently depending on perspective.