Well staged and excellently cast
Movie Reviewer, DVD collector, into movies that tell a great story, a fan of clever plots, character-lover, Lover of quirky, unique films
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DEC
22
2007
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street —
Tim Burton's excellent retelling of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is dark and macabre - as it should be.The tale of Sweeney Todd is an old one, and exists in many cultures. A barber, driven mad by the loss of his family, exacts revenge against those who wronged him by cutting their throats as he shaves them.
Sweeney had been transported to Australia on a trumped-up charge after his wife caught the eye of a corrupt judge. He returns to find his wife dead, and his now-teenage daughter living with the judge as his ward. Already unstable due to his unfair banishment, the news of his family's fate drives him over the edge.
Johnny Depp is perfectly cast as Todd, and Helena Bonham-Carter is always a good leading lady for him. Her acting was spot-on, although they should have dubbed her singing voice. It just isn't strong enough to play Mrs. Lovett. Depp will surprise you. His is not the kind of voice that you'd buy a CD to hear him sing, but it suits the character of Sweeney very well.
A pleasant surprise is Sacha Baron Cohen as Pirelli. He handled the role well, particularly the singing. Newcomer Ed Sanders is very effective as Toby, and the boy can sing excellently. He's young for the role, which was written as a young adult with a learning disability.
Antony Hope, the male love interest for Sweeney's daughter Johanna, is played by androgenously beautiful Jamie Campbell Bower. He's good looking, seems earnest, and can sing, which is all that's really needed for Antony. Irish soprano Jayne Wisener is elfishly pretty, pale and delicate, which is all you really need for Johanna. The couple are really minor catalysts in the play.
Alan Rickman plays Judge Turpin, the man responsible for Sweeney's unjust conviction and the focus of his rage. He plays the smarmy, corrupt judge full-on, without an ounce of remorse or hesitation.
Tim Burton makes spurting blood virtually the only bright color in an otherwise monochromatic film. If someone had asked me who should direct Sweeney Todd, my first choice would have been Burton. The macabre, dismal setting and pinched, morose characters are his stock-in-trade, and with good reason. There are some pretty gory scenes, as you might expect, and a plot twist that may surprise you. The squeamish will want to cover their eyes on occasion, but they'll still laugh out loud at times.
Sondheim's clever lyrics really make the play and the movie. See for yourself, and enjoy!
Last edited on Jan 10, 2008
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is recommended by boliyou
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