The Libertine
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Movie Reviews of The Libertine
Movie Review: "The theater is my drug."
Summary: 5 Stars
The Libertine is not a film for the faint of heart. Johnny Depp's performance as John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester in Restoration England, is nothing short of a tour de force, the decadent, depraved Wilmot a universe apart from the quirky Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean. A man in search of inspiration, jaded by the pleasures of his senses, Wilmot exclaims, "What is in my mind is always more interesting than what is happening in the world." Only in the theater does his blood stir, the magic combination of creativity and talent that offers moments of ecstasy. Wilmot does not enjoy his ennui, receives no satisfaction from the gluttony of his senses, yet he is driven to satisfy his urges, to slake the thirst once awakened.
Serving as a muse for the aspiring actress, Elizabeth Barry (a brilliant Samantha Morton), it is through their intemperate relationship that Barry blossoms on the stage and Wilmot surpasses even his own excesses. Commanded by Charles II (John Malkovich) to write a masterpiece for the visiting French Ambassador, Wilmot immerses himself in a performance that Charles declares "a pornographic representation of the court", insulting the King and bringing about his own ruin. On the run, Wilmot makes his way in the streets; cornered, confronted by the king, even banishment is denied the offender: "I condemn you to be yourself for the rest of your days." Drunkenness and debauchery haunt Wilmot to the end of his syphilitic life at only thirty-three, his brilliance snuffed out by the very decadence that fuels the quest to stimulate passion.
From the opening monologue ("You will not like me. I do not want you to like me."), until the end of the film, Wilmot's beauty destroyed by disease, his spirit shines just as intensely and provocatively, unrepentant. This is, after all, Restoration England, Europe consumed by concupiscence and public displays that resemble scenes from Hieronymus Bosch. The grainy film and smoky scenes, mud-sludged streets are recreated in uncomfortable detail, dragging the viewer into the muck of a civilization dedicated to its own narcissism. This creative endeavor is not only a descent into Hell; it is a journey through it, a transcendent experience for anyone willing to immerse himself in the film. No, we do not like this character, but in the end Wilmot is heartbreaking, a victim of his basest urges who exists in a prison of despair. Complex, challenging, beautifully writ, this is not fare for all, the language ribald and offensive, but true to the era, a painful, haunting slice of the human psyche at its most vulnerable. In the closing monologue, Wilmot asks, "Do you like me now?" Without reservation. Luan Gaines/2006.
Movie Review: I've been drunk for 3 years ... I blame Thomas Hobbes
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, as I am a writer, I am always fascinated by the lives of writers, however demented they may be. In the newly released (though filmed in 2004) film "The Libertine" Johnny Depp plays John Wilmot, the 2nd Earl of Rochester, probably the second most debauched man in history after the Marque De Sod. The comparisons have already been made between this film and "Quils" and they are accurate. Reviewers seem utterly confused by this movie and there is also ample reason to be confused. So, what can I say about it? Should I say you should see it? I don't know, who are you?
It is not Captain Jack by any stretch of the imagination. This is not a date flick, it is an historical picture steeped in deep grey fog and grainy film stock. It is bleak from the word go, and true to Wilmot's tastes, rather crude in it's authentic approach to women, men, and sex. In the film, Wilmot demands you not to like him and it is almost impossible to do so, apart from the few glimmering bits of wit that get tossed around between his horrid world view. The film asks us to see the world of Charles II's rule not through the rosy glasses of history, but through the filth and muck it was trying to cover. Mud is everywhere present, almost as if you couldn't escape it. So too is fog, a metaphore for the way in which Charles' rock star like presence cast its shadow over history.
It is a demanding film. Few in the theater were comfortable at all, unless they were of a deviant mind (me) and knew the source material (me again) and some of the historical background (me three). There is no happy ending, there is only a moment of brutal truth and vague heroics in the House of Lords at the end of Wilmot's short life, and then he dies. The opening and closing speaches by Depp are sheer genius and Stephen Jeffereys who wrote both the play and the screenplay stick close to the style of speach of the period. It is both stagy and gritty in realism.
Never a big fan of John Malchovich, he does however turn in (with Depp) an Oscar worthy performance as Charles II (he played Wilmot in the stageplay and co-produced this film). However, neither shall get their day because of the haphazard way in which this rather odd movie has been released. It was technically considered for the Oscars we just saw on Sunday ... not that you would know it.
My quote in the headlines, sadly, is one of the great lines in the play that did not make it into the film. I fear it would go over everyone's head. Which is sad, because the whole film will go over everyone's heads.
Movie Review: A Great Movie; Not For Everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Libertine" I believe came out sometime last year; I say I belive because it says 2005 on the back, but I heard nothing about it. The only reason I decided to check it out was because Johnny Depp was in it and it seems everytime I see another one of his movies he never ceases to surprise me. Johnny Depp is almost the definition of a character actor. He's able to play so many different characters and in each one he becomes the character, he's always believable. Look at his resume': He's played Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Willy Wonka, Mort Raimey ('Secret Window'), J.M. Barrie, Jack Sparrow, Gilbert Grape, Ichabod Crane, and now John Wilmot. In this movie, dare I say it, Depp gives one of his finest performances. The movie opens with Depp talking directly to the camera; He introduces himself. He's John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester and he warns us "You will not like me." Actually, it's quite the opposite at the end. Turns out he's a very sympathetic character actually. Johnny (this is the character's name for the record) has been banished from London for a year because he said the word 'c**t' in front of King Charles II (John Malkovich, who's amazing as always and is also the producer). After an unsufficient amount of time of being banished, he's beckoned back to write a play as an introduction to a person who will be visiting from France. Meanwhile, Johnny falls in love with a young actress named Elizabeth Barry (Two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton, Best Actress 'Sweet & Lowdown' & 'In America'). Since you can find this out from reading the back cover; After Johnny writes the play, he is banished from higher society and we watch his downfall. This is where Depp truly hits his stride. Depp's transformation from the beginning of the movie to the end is incredible. In the beginning, he looks like Johnny Depp. At the end, he looks like Marilyn Manson mixed with a character from The Exorcist. The makeup here is Oscar worthy. The performances by the lead actors Depp, Morton, and Malkovich are all incredible as well...As I said though, this movie was so overlooked, any nominations would've been impossible. The movie is very different looking as well, it's very grainy at times but it works for the material somehow and it's not at all bothersome. This movie is not for everybody, I've already read several reviews from people who hated it. But the movie is pretty damned original and it had my eyes glued to the screen throughout. This is also one of the best movies I've seen in a while, set in this era.
GRADE: A-
Movie Review: The Libertine freeing Jameson Thottam's mind
Summary: 5 Stars
The Libertine freeing Jameson Thottam's mind
I find a very deep look into the morality, reason, and psyche of mankind through Johnny's character as it relates to the environment which was allowed to shape it. and what I also believe to be a good representation of a historic moral reality. This movie is not for the faint or heart or the shallow of mind nor the ignorant.
With such a vast contrast in the reviews there is only two sides, those who didnt understand the plot, the times or the character and thus hated the movie and the other is those whose minds allowed them to go beyond the graffic immorality into a quite profound view of life, politics, pleasure, and religion. One of King Solomon's books in the bible "Ecclesiastes" came to mind more than once when contemplating this film"
The Libertine was from the beginning a work of art. People may not understand it as I Jameson Thottam see it as an actor's movie. You need to understand the obstacles of playing a character like Rochester, and for once not having to be the gorgeous leading man that Hollywood wants you to be. The character development was flawless on Depp's part. When he was diseased in the end it was almost like his disease and Rochester became a mask and he acted through it. I was entranced throughout. Even the look of the movie was perfect. I have watched it so many times already, I was amazed.
This was Johnny Depp's most complex role and he executed with a unique flare and a soulful brilliance. The writing, character development and directing were outstanding. Where "Quills" detailed the life and soul of a madman, "The Libertine" gives us a glimpse into the life of a true iconoclast. The Second Earl of Rochester is the amoral narcisist we all secretly wish we (including Jameson Thottam) could be."
If you go expecting the lovable Jack Sparrow, you will be disappointed. If you go wondering how Johnny Depp will recreate himself this time, you will love it. Jameson Thottam was captured by the opening prologue, found his portrayal of a hedonist amazing,and was in tears by the end of the movie. I believe those that understand the times and the lifestyle lived will come away from this movie touched; those that expect something easy to understand will not like it. Go to see it prepared to think."
This is Depp's best work Jameson Thottam.
Movie Review: By Far Depp's best display of acting!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so moved by Johnny Depp's performance that I watched this movie several times. I had to catch ever nuance of this film. I have read many of the reviews here and I am suprised by the variance. One review said the name shouldn't be the Libertine. A Libertine by definition is someone who follows their own inclinations. This movie definitely displays that The Earl of Rochester did exactly that. I have read books about the Earl and this movie doesn't take too much liberty with the story. If you buy the DVD, the deleted scenes fill in some blanks that are needed to understand some of what is going on in the Earl's mind and how he arrived at the person he becomes. This man had an interesting journey . Most actors could not take a role like this, a history lesson, and make it something actually enthralling to watch. The point of this story was not to focus on his writing, although it is a shame that much of what he wrote has been destroyed. The point to me, was to portray the man himself for who he was. I was impressed from the commencement where he states that we would not like him, to the end when he emotes to the theater actors. Throughout the movie,Wilmot rarely expressed himself more than to be absolutely nonchalant about most things and admits he cannot feel in real life. On occasion he would raise his voice some. The only time I heard him truely yell was at Alcock about wanting ink. It was interesting to see the character reach some sort of emotional crescendo as he works his way to ultimate self destruction. You get fleeting glimpses of remorse in himself for his own bad behavior that only actors like Depp can convey in his facial animation. Only Johnny Depp can bring that sort of dimension to a character. The murky/muted cinematography giving a true to period "tone" to it and finishes the feel of the film itself. Samantha Morton was fabulous as Lizzy Barry, giving a nice contrast to his actual wife. Her first performance of Hamlet's Ophelia after working with Wilmot was powerful enough for me to want to see her actually do the whole play in real life. If anyone says this film is weak in anyway completely missed the point altogether and is not a true fan of film. An absolute complete package!!!