Sunday, August 27, 2006

"He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it."

Last night Josh and I watched The Libertine. Frankly, I don't know what to think of it. In my opinion, it's certainly not the best work Johnny Depp has ever done (although better than The Ninth Gate), but I did watch the whole thing—despite the fact that it was late & I was tired. I wouldn't want to own it and can't see myself recommending it to anyone I know. It was really obscure and at times you were wondering what the hell was going on. It did make me snicker more than once, but for the most part it just made me go, "What the deuce?"


The movie is set in London in 1675 and Johnny Depp plays John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester. His character—based on a real gentleman—is one who loves theatre, drinking and sex—and he is proud of all them. John Malkovich plays King Charles II and there are a few other unknowns strewn in as well as the guy who played Commadore Norrington in The Pirates of the Caribbean. The plot revolves around the eventual decay of Depp's character and in the end I walked away not knowing if I liked it or not.


Here's the opening dialogue delivered by Wilmot, sitting alone in a dark room:
"Allow me to be frank at the commencement. You will not like me. The gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled. You will not like me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on. Ladies, an announcement: I am up for it, all the time. That is not a boast or an opinion, it is bone hard medical fact. I put it round you know. And you will watch me putting it round and sigh for it. Don't. It is a deal of trouble for you and you are better off watching and drawing your conclusions from a distance than you would be if I got my tarse up your petticoats. Gentlemen. Do not despair, I am up for that as well. And the same warning applies. Still your cheesy erections till I have had my say. But later when you shag - and later you will shag, I shall expect it of you and I will know if you have let me down - I wish you to shag with my homuncular image rattling in your gonads. Feel how it was for me, how it is for me and ponder. 'Was that shudder the same shudder he sensed? Did he know something more profound? Or is there some wall of wretchedness that we all batter with our heads at that shining, livelong moment. That is it. That is my prologue, nothing in rhyme, no protestations of modesty, you were not expecting that I hope. I am John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester and I do not want you to like me. "


See what I mean?
Has anyone else seen this movie? Did you like it, hate it, care less?

On a related note, we also watched The Benchwarmers which was really cute and laugh-out-loud funny.

14 comments:

Meira{FB} said...

Hmmmmmm and I love Johnny Depp, looks a little to deep for me though.

I tried to watch Syriana yesterday, and was like, bored, stopped it, and paid the cable company to see it too! Drag....

Well, thanks for the tip & review!

I'm here as part of Click & Comment Monday, came via Pointless Drivel. If you want to know what C & C monday is, you'll have to come visit me!

Jen said...

That quote reminds me a whole heck of a scary lot of something a friend of mine would say...

...loved Benchwarmers- and I don't usually like those types of movies. I laughed until I cried when we bought it a few weeks ago.

Meme said...

Johnny Depp looks really short in that photo, and the perm doesn't suit him.

I really want to see this though, just so I can hear that speal from him!

Mad Ethel said...

Benchwarmers - just saw that the other day and I know it was a good movie because I laughed all by myself. Usually, my husband or someone else has to be laughing before I can, but not this time. I'll probably end up buying it.
As for Johnny's movie, he's always into the strange characters. I'll probably watch it twice. Once to say I saw it, and twice to figure out what the hell was going on. If the dialogue is a clue to the consistency of the movie, then I'll be sure to have a bottle of wine handy to make the time pass and the movie more enjoyable.

Anonymous said...

OK, Johnny Depp looking like that is totally freaking me out... eeewwww... even without considering the movie itself...

Lisa Armsweat said...

I do want to check that movie out. Even though i've read some bad reviews, and Johnny looks gross in it. I just can't seem to pass up a movie with Johnny Depp in it. Have you seen "Dead Man"? It's a dark movie, and it can be hard to follow, but it's really interesting at the same time and leaves you with some lasting images. It can be a little cerebral and trippy, though... still, a not-often-appreciated gem.

I wrote about it on my blog, but "Ricky Bobby" was hilarious to me, as was "Beerfest." Jon Heder's next movie with Billy Bob Thorton, "School for Scoundrels", looks pretty funny, too. I'd see it!

Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} said...

Armsweat—I haven't seen Dead Man. I'll have to check it out.

Dutchy—Remember, it's the 17th century & all the men wore wigs then. But yeah, ugg...

Mad Ethel—Are you saying you need a laugh track as a cue? Regarding the wine—rub it in a little, I can't drink it you know.

Melissa—Yep, that wig is soooo 17th century. I wouldn't say don't see it, I just wouldn't go, "Oh see it! It's so fabulous and feel good." Cuz, it's not a feel good type of movie.

Great Day—That was such a hilarious line!

Mr. Fab—"Damn you vile woman!"

Jen—You bought it before you saw it?

Mysteriouslady—I'm a HUGE Depp fan and despite the crappy reviews it got I had to see it for myself. At least I'm not left wondering about it.

Violet said...

i just got "the benchwarmers" in my mailbox from netflix the other day. haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet, but definitely looking forward to it.

Lynda said...

I am up for it, all the time. That is not a boast or an opinion, it is bone hard medical fact.

I haven't seen the movie but he probably should see a doctor for that bone problem.

Anonymous said...

urgh. Just urgh.

I like to watch films I don't have to think about.

Lisa said...

Pixie:
I saw The Libertine last week and didn't watch the whole thing I hated it so much. First, I couldnt' see anything. I also couldn't hear anything, and to top it off, I had no idea in hell what they were talking about. Having said this, however, I thing Johnny Depp was marvelous in his simple ability to move into a European character with such ease and convincability. He is such a good actor, even though the film lost me.

Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} said...

VoF: I had such a hard time deciphering what they were saying even with the surround sound on that I had to turn on the closed captioning. Then, of course, I couldn't stop reading it. I totally agree with you that Depp's acting ability is far superior than so many people out there. He continues to amaze me with every role he takes on. He'll be in Sweeney Todd next and he does the singing in it. Amazing & nice to look at.

Anonymous said...

P.S. I still haven't made it to your blogroll.

Mad Ethel said...

Actually, I laugh moreso at my husband laughing than I do the movie if it sucks. This one was actually funny enough that I didn't need any extra entertainment to enjoy it. Laugh track...pfffft!!
Oh, I forgot about le bebe. I'll not mention the devils juice again!