The Libertine
Although my goofing off yesterday should have been its own reward, I further rewarded my bad behavior by plunking my posterior in front of the large screen and watching "The Libertine" on DVD.
In preface--I don't care for sad movies. I choose to write erotic romance rather than straight erotica, or for that matter, any other genre, because my psyche requires the guaranteed soft edge of a HEA. So, I avoided this film at the box-office. Also, the prosthetic nose Johnny Depp wears in the latter part of the film made me wary. I didn't think I could bear seeing images of pre-antibiotic, syphilitic ravages. Then too, the reviews of this film were mostly poor.
I'm glad I put my misgivings aside and watched "The Libertine" -- if only for three reasons.
Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp.
The man is a truly talented . . . no, make that a brilliant . . . artist.
As was, evidently, the self-destructive character he portrayed in the film.
I'm not familiar with the history of the egocentric anti-hero, John Wilmot, second earl of Rochester, so I'm not sure what part of his cruelty was disease/alcoholism induced, how much was a result of long standing anger/cynicism/self-loathing, but without vanity or sugar-coating, Depp masterfully uncovers the soul of this tortured man. Depp's body language, facial expressions, props etc, all reflect the character's progressively deteriorated state of mind.
As to the movie--there was nothing pretty about the story, nothing one would classify as "enjoyable". However, the bawdy language, the sly and witty dialogue, the ambiance--costumes, sets, gritty mood--all felt historically accurate. Whether or not the plot took liberties with the biographical truth, I can't say, but within the borders of the film, the story, once again, felt, realistic--if a bit rushed. Not knowing the political history of the era, I could have used more background info. Also, the sound quality was not the best. I missed a pertinent plot point due to the 'underwater' mumbling. In a film like this, with such rich language, the ability to hear clearly is so important!
I would suggest renting the DVD just for Depp's prologue and epilogue soliloquies. He's clearly in his element in this period piece.
Louisa
In preface--I don't care for sad movies. I choose to write erotic romance rather than straight erotica, or for that matter, any other genre, because my psyche requires the guaranteed soft edge of a HEA. So, I avoided this film at the box-office. Also, the prosthetic nose Johnny Depp wears in the latter part of the film made me wary. I didn't think I could bear seeing images of pre-antibiotic, syphilitic ravages. Then too, the reviews of this film were mostly poor.
I'm glad I put my misgivings aside and watched "The Libertine" -- if only for three reasons.
Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp.
The man is a truly talented . . . no, make that a brilliant . . . artist.
As was, evidently, the self-destructive character he portrayed in the film.
I'm not familiar with the history of the egocentric anti-hero, John Wilmot, second earl of Rochester, so I'm not sure what part of his cruelty was disease/alcoholism induced, how much was a result of long standing anger/cynicism/self-loathing, but without vanity or sugar-coating, Depp masterfully uncovers the soul of this tortured man. Depp's body language, facial expressions, props etc, all reflect the character's progressively deteriorated state of mind.
As to the movie--there was nothing pretty about the story, nothing one would classify as "enjoyable". However, the bawdy language, the sly and witty dialogue, the ambiance--costumes, sets, gritty mood--all felt historically accurate. Whether or not the plot took liberties with the biographical truth, I can't say, but within the borders of the film, the story, once again, felt, realistic--if a bit rushed. Not knowing the political history of the era, I could have used more background info. Also, the sound quality was not the best. I missed a pertinent plot point due to the 'underwater' mumbling. In a film like this, with such rich language, the ability to hear clearly is so important!
I would suggest renting the DVD just for Depp's prologue and epilogue soliloquies. He's clearly in his element in this period piece.
Louisa
