| Overall Grade: |
B |
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| Story: |
B |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
B |
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Disturbingly thought provoking...
by Carol (movies profile)
Apr 6, 2008
35
of
36 people found this review helpful
With all these other reviews, mine seems unnecessary, yet I'm speaking out.
Last night, I saw THE LIBERTINE. At long last, it was released here in the US. I went prepared to see a perfectly ghastly movie in which Johnny Depp positively shines.... To my surprise, the movie WASN'T horrible at all. It's not the sort of movie one can claim to truly LIKE.... Rather like the paintings of Magritte, it's compelling and fascinating in an uncomfortable sort of way... It was dark, disturbing, and filled with loathsome characters--not the least of whom is Johnny Depp's John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester.
The story centers around the lusts of John Wilmot--a lust for sex, excessive alcohol, and the theater. These lusts are his escapes from the tortures of life--and he pays a very dear price for them (the loss of his life at age 33).
Johnny Depp provides such depth to the character, that beyond his debauchery, we can see a human being in pain--struggling with and torn by a variety of emotions. While Johnny Depp's performances in all movies are, without fail, exceptional, this is Johnny Depp performing with a stunning brilliance I haven't before seen. I was mesmerized by his performance.
Deeply disappointing was John Malkovich's portrayal of Charles II. I have come to expect much bigger and better things from him. His portrayal was rather one dimensional--two dimensional at best--and his accent was positively DREADFUL. John Malkovich played John Wilmot in the stage version of THE LIBERTINE, so, perhaps the transition to a lesser role was difficult for him.
The depiction of a person dying of a horrible wasting disease (John Wilmot died of syphilis.) was the most realistic I've ever seen and stirred a variety of emotions in the audience from horror, to a sense of justice, to confusion, to pity, to compassion.
This film was deeply thought provoking and intentionally disquieting. The discomfort is not too high a price to pay, though, to see such a phenomenal performance. |
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