Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd

[jenboo]

That's what I did today...I went to see the movie Sweeney Todd, with much trepidation, I must admit.

I thought, Johnny Depp singing that incredible music? Even worse, Helena Bonham Carter singing that incredible music

Comments

[devinam]

I'm of two minds on this film. I have to say I did really like it, but I went to the official website and read all the stuff they had there about adapting it, and casting, etc...they pointed out that the movie is not supposed to be a film version of the musical play, it's it's own entity, based on that script. given that, i was able to separate the two, and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I kind of liked the way Helena Bonham Carter was much a much more grounded Mrs. Lovett...she seemed more vulnerable to me, rather than crazy out there woman. i thought both sweeney and lovett voices were very thin, definitely not George Hearn or Len Cariou, and I missed that fullness. However, i thought they crafted a good movie. I greatly missed the chorus through line "attend the tale of sweeney todd..." but i didn't think it really had a place in this movie. for me, the blood wasn't viscous enough to look real, and the brilliant crimson color made it look very fake, so i had no problems with it. it really is like a slasher film that's a musical.
I really liked the vocal quality of Antony, Johanna, and Toby. Alan Rickman was delightfully evil, and I quite liked Timothy spall as the Beadle (so slimy!) and Sacha Baron Cohen.(i was surprised, i didn't think i'd like him as Pirelli).

[jenboo]

they pointed out that the movie is not supposed to be a film version of the musical play

But then the question becomes "Why use the music from the Sondheim show?"

As for HBC's performance, certainly the vulnerability was a lovely touch, however, I just couldn't figure out how she was surviving in that part of London all by herself. She didn't seem tough enough to me.

I listened to my cast recording of the recent Broadway revival and have found myself wanting to see this movie again. It has made me think all week about the choices Burton and his actors made.
It is indeed a gorgeous-looking film, very atmospheric.
In my opinion, the mark of a good movie is whether it fosters discussion, which this film did for me.

it really is like a slasher film that's a musical.
One of my favorite reviews of Sweeney Todd the movie was found at Rottentomatoes.com. It called the movie the most elegant slasher film ever made. I thought you might appreciate that! ;o)

[devinam]

I'll have to check out that review. ;)
I did think that Sondheim's score very much is suited to underscoring for a movie...i didn't realize how cinematic that score actually is...