Movie Rec: The Libertine
I spent a very pleasant afternoon watching Johnny Depp play John Wilmot, a.k.a The 2nd Earl of Rochester in The Libertine (2004)
Summary:
"The Libertine" tracks the downward spiral of the second Earl of Rochester, (Johnny Depp) the satirist, poet and rake whose name became synonymous with debauchery. Voltaire wrote that he was "a man of genius and the great poet," and Charlotte Brontë may have named Jane Eyre's Mr. Rochester after him. All of which makes you wonder what the unfortunate earl did to deserve the attentions of the film's director, Laurence Dunmore, and Stephen Jeffreys, who adapted his own play of the same title. The story told here largely involves Rochester's relationship with the actress Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton) and with Charles II, played by John Malkovich. Rochester dipped his quill without regard for his health or safety, and contrary to the evidence in the film, found time to write memorably. Ms. Morton gamely attempts to transform into an actress who can be loved by the audience no matter what the role, which means she effectively tries to turn her character into Johnny Depp, a performer whom we will like, good role or bad. - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times.
My View:
I will admit right now, that I am biased towards this film in two respects. First, it stars Johnny Depp, and second, it is set during the Restoration which is one of my favorite historical eras and one in which I will no doubt end up setting a story before too much longer.
Johnny Depp turns in a fantastic performance as the jaded, cynical John Wilmot. The man just knows how to strut, curl his lip, and deliver a stinging put down with the kind of aplomb one would expect from Rochester. He also knows how to let the hidden torment of the man's soul, invisible to those nearest to him, show through to the audience with a poignance which had me falling in love with Rochester, despite his opening monologue which guaranteed that not only would I not like him, he in fact, did not want me to like him.
John Malkovich gives a reliable performance as King Charles II and brings an interpretation to the man which, while it is predictable (not a lot of scope for poetic license in playing such a well known historical figure) is also fresh and engaging.
Rochester's friends George Etherege, (Tom Hollander) and Billy Downs, (Rupert Friend) are well played and lend a foil to Rochester's dissipation with their contrasting 'goodness' a trait which Rochester openly despises whilst secretly being envious. His words when introduced to Billy Downs "Young man you will die of this company--do not laugh, I am not joking." sent a chill of premonition down my spine and foreshadowed some of the darker scenes of the film.
Rochester "swives to eat and eats to swive" his way through the early parts of the film with an abandon which is wholly reckless and makes you grit your teeth and hold tight to your chair because you know this cannot end well, and indeed it doesn't. If you're looking for a happy ending, you won't find it here. This is history and the end was written before the play was penned. It does end on a sad note, but don't let that turn you off it. It's really well worth the lump in the throat.
ETA: This movie has gay interest in portraying the relationship between Rochester and Downs (no sex, but definite text)
Trailer:
Summary:
"The Libertine" tracks the downward spiral of the second Earl of Rochester, (Johnny Depp) the satirist, poet and rake whose name became synonymous with debauchery. Voltaire wrote that he was "a man of genius and the great poet," and Charlotte Brontë may have named Jane Eyre's Mr. Rochester after him. All of which makes you wonder what the unfortunate earl did to deserve the attentions of the film's director, Laurence Dunmore, and Stephen Jeffreys, who adapted his own play of the same title. The story told here largely involves Rochester's relationship with the actress Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton) and with Charles II, played by John Malkovich. Rochester dipped his quill without regard for his health or safety, and contrary to the evidence in the film, found time to write memorably. Ms. Morton gamely attempts to transform into an actress who can be loved by the audience no matter what the role, which means she effectively tries to turn her character into Johnny Depp, a performer whom we will like, good role or bad. - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times.
My View:
I will admit right now, that I am biased towards this film in two respects. First, it stars Johnny Depp, and second, it is set during the Restoration which is one of my favorite historical eras and one in which I will no doubt end up setting a story before too much longer.
Johnny Depp turns in a fantastic performance as the jaded, cynical John Wilmot. The man just knows how to strut, curl his lip, and deliver a stinging put down with the kind of aplomb one would expect from Rochester. He also knows how to let the hidden torment of the man's soul, invisible to those nearest to him, show through to the audience with a poignance which had me falling in love with Rochester, despite his opening monologue which guaranteed that not only would I not like him, he in fact, did not want me to like him.
John Malkovich gives a reliable performance as King Charles II and brings an interpretation to the man which, while it is predictable (not a lot of scope for poetic license in playing such a well known historical figure) is also fresh and engaging.
Rochester's friends George Etherege, (Tom Hollander) and Billy Downs, (Rupert Friend) are well played and lend a foil to Rochester's dissipation with their contrasting 'goodness' a trait which Rochester openly despises whilst secretly being envious. His words when introduced to Billy Downs "Young man you will die of this company--do not laugh, I am not joking." sent a chill of premonition down my spine and foreshadowed some of the darker scenes of the film.
Rochester "swives to eat and eats to swive" his way through the early parts of the film with an abandon which is wholly reckless and makes you grit your teeth and hold tight to your chair because you know this cannot end well, and indeed it doesn't. If you're looking for a happy ending, you won't find it here. This is history and the end was written before the play was penned. It does end on a sad note, but don't let that turn you off it. It's really well worth the lump in the throat.
ETA: This movie has gay interest in portraying the relationship between Rochester and Downs (no sex, but definite text)
Trailer:
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