|
Friday, 28 July 2006 |
  John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester was a bit of a trail blazer. He was a friend of King Charles II, helping him to regain the throne after the murder of his father, and attempted to kidnap his future wife, Elizabeth Malet, an heiress who would be one of many to fall prey to his charms. Another was the actress Elizabeth Barry, who he would take an interest in and coach on the way to her becoming possibly the highest regarded actress of the Restoration era. He was a writer of controversial, sexually explicit drama and poetry 70 years before the birth of Donatien Alphonse Francois, aka The Marquis de Sade. Rochester was one of those people who everyone knew, wanted everyone else to know they knew, but when it came right down to it, probably very few people actually liked.
In The Libertine, from rookie director Laurence Dunmore, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) plays Rochester to full, un-compromised wretchedness. Depp is joined by an impressive array of supporting actors, including up-and-comer Rosamund Pike (Pride and Prejudice) as his long suffering wife, the always fabulous Samantha Morton (Sweet and Lowdown) as Elizabeth Barry, John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons) as King Charles II and a slurry of talented, lesser known British actors such as Kelly Reilly (Pride and Prejudice), Rupert Friend (Pride and Prejudice), and Tom Hollander (Pride and Prejudice). And what is this bizarre connection between The Libertine and Pride and Prejudice?
The main reason to see The Libertine is for the screen-chewing acting (particularly between Depp and Morton) and stunningly grim, de-saturated, sepia toned cinematography, which also includes some interesting camera work, particularly during a Parliament scene late in the film. Beyond that, the story is far too choppy. The first act, which mostly involves Rochester's interaction with Barry and his almost complete inattention to his wife, often seems to move at a snail's pace, only to see the story leap an enormous gap between the second and third acts. It is also nearly impossible for me to believe we are supposed to feel pity for this man, who by the end of the film is an incontinent, sore covered, somewhat remorseful individual. Still, my lack of pity for Rochester did not dampen my appreciation of the story as it came to a close. He was the type of person others were invigorated by knowing, so long as they weren't too intimately associated with him. Deep down, he was a rotten person, but he tended to make others feel more alive.
The Libertine is a movie which grew on me at is played, once the overlong section of Rochester coaching Barry was over. It is not subtle. The staging is dirty, the acting is juicy and the imagery is rich and filthy. It's easy to condemn Rochester as a horrible person, but I suspect many of us would, and probably do, hang around people like him even today for the sheer thrill of it. The movie is definitely not for all tastes, though. Take the kids out of the house for this one. It is inventively filthy, and despite some warts, an enjoyable watch for the suitably minded.
For those interested in a stark contrast of presentation, I recommend seeing the movie Stage Beauty which takes place immediately before The Libertine and involves some of the same historical characters, though with a distinctly different, lighter spin. It also sets the stage for the atmosphere in theater at that time in history.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, Rupert Friend, Kelly Reilly, Jack Davenport, Stanley Townsend, Richard Coyle
Director: Laurence Dunmore
Written by: Stephen Jeffreys
Cinematographer: Alexander Melman
Studio: Weinstein Company
Rated: R
Running Time: 114 mins
Release: 2005
Reviewer: John Rice
|
All Reviews and original content © 2004-2007 Slacker-Reviews.com. Any reproduction in whole or in part without the express written consent of Slacker-Reviews.com is a violation of applicable laws.
Modification and hosting by Rice Photography & Design
|
Movie Review List 
