Posted To: http://www.straypoetry.com
I decided to watch ‘Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street’. I heard a commentary on NPR, and wanted to see if Johnny Depp really could sing.
He can.
Not too often one gets to see a gory musical, unless of course you flip the DVD over, and see Burtons’ name on it. As filmmakers go, Tim Burton has simply the most original, and remarkable mind in the industry. Though this film was based on a Broadway play, it is still clearly a Burton film. The sets, the costumes, the dark sepia scenes, and the pale drawn faces are all reminiscent of his earlier films.
Depp - in the leading role is as always dark, brooding and funny at the same time. Until this one, I have been amazed at how many varied persona’s he can conjure up, but this time I see ‘Jack Sparrow’ coming through ‘Sweeney Todd”. It was mildly distracting, I think it detracted from the film as a whole. (though not enough to make a difference)
Alan Rickman portrays the evil, masochistic, scheming Judge Turpin. Rickman is perhaps one of the 5 best actors in Hollywood today. His characters are always brooding, and precise. Never shallow. Even his comedic roles are done with sharp style. His part in this film is no less of an accomplishment. It was a pleasure to hear him sing also.
Helena Bonham Carter gives her usual quirky, and oft frightening performance as Todd’s landlord, and disposer of corpses. My favorite scene with her is the park scene, where she imagines a future with Todd as her beau. And as each vividly imagined frame comes into view, you can see that Sweeney Todd is not at all interested, or thrilled to be there. His dour expression is priceless.
There is an insane amount of gore, and blood in this film, (but what do you expect from a movie about a sadistic barber who then has his victims made into pies for the unknowing public?)
-Ezra Hilyer - http://www.straypoetry.com
