The Libertine (2006)

Dark, brutal, and brooding; yet strangely beautiful and haunting.

Depp is triumphantly weird and wonderful as John Wilmot in Laurence Dunmore's 2004/5 film adaptation of Stephen Jefferys' 1994 play. Wilmot's life was weird enough. In this version it is taken to a particular extreme to make a tragic point about cynicism and rebellion. Wilmot is an arrogant user; a womanizing drunk, literary pervert, and rebellious libel of the King. Depp's portrayal is far too bitter to be considered a "Bon Vivant" - Wilmot's off hand rejection of every social more feels like adolescent rebellion writ large.

Forget, for a moment the moral content. Just as a visual period piece, Dunmore's "Libertine" succeeds brilliantly. The entire film is antique sepia toned with dramatic chiaroscuro lighting. The period costume and scenery is stunning and each scene is composed like an old master's painting.

But it's Depp's wry yet parched portrayal of Wilmot's simultaneous lust for and disgusted rejection of life and society that seizes and haunts. Indeed, days later I cannot get it out of my mind. Wilmot time and again has love and worldly success in the palm of his hand; only to throw it away with contempt. His love of the theater is deep and profound - or seems to be in his scenes where he teaches Elizabeth Barry to be a brilliant actress. Yet his own production is a libelous piece of pornographic fluff. A huge middle finger raised to the King and to the audience and to his cast - a literal outright disaster. Where does Wilmot stand?

If this film is so extreme, why isn't Wilmot's historically hinted at bisexuality not more prominently featured? Another mystery. All in all, this is an enraging, offensive, and hauntingly beautiful film. Rather like the character of John Wilmot himself. December 29, 2008

Impressive piece of bawdy tragedy

This is a very entertaining film with great acting. The story is slightly OTT but has some great moments in it, especially between Johnny Depp (a great performance from him) and either John Malkovitch or Samantha Morton, who are also outstanding.

This story draws you in & in places repels, but it's very entertaining and pretty dark. Recommended. August 24, 2008

No, I don't like you.

This is a beautiful, depressing miasma of a movie, with gorgeous sets and emotionally wrenching performances. Between the literal and metaphorical mud, the venereal rotting away of body and society, and the absolute amorality of the earl of Rochester, the film offers an unflinching look at corruption. There's something gleeful and wonderful in it under all the decay. My only point is that you should know this about the movie when you sit down to watch it. I guess it's a tribute to Depp's talent as an actor that I can watch his work and enjoy it when he plays characters I can only like in spite of themselves. July 15, 2008

Depp best performance

Although this movie is only for adults, it is Johnny Depp's best acting role. His performance shows his range in acting from comedy to drama. He has absorbed the person of John Wilmot and when the movie is over you feel as if you knew the man. A great work overlooked for an Oscar and one day will be a must have for all Depp collections and admirers. July 1, 2008

For once the deleted scenes were needed!

Usually the deleted scenes featured on DVD show just why they were deleted. But in this case, it would have made the movie make sense. I have the feeling that the director had spent so much money creating the scenery and outlandish props for the scandalous play that he chose to cut the WRONG corners. He or the editors damaged a film that could have been outstanding. For example, you wouldn't even know that Wilmot had children unless you watched the outtakes. And you wouldn't know why he was consumed with guilt or what possibly contributed to his liscentiousness. And, not knowing these things, as you watch it you just don't understand the sudden...oh, well, I don't want to spoil the gruesome ending. This is one movie that needs to be re-cut. Because as bleak as it is, there are wonderful, thought provoking performances that stayed with me long after it was finally over. May 30, 2008

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