We’ve discussed Johnny Depp at this website before – Denis once said he’d never go to another Johnny Depp movie again after he spoke out against America in some interview. However, some of my favorite movies are Johnny Depp movies.
Movie #1: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Sure, Leo DiCaprio stole the movie with his amazing portrayal of a young teen with a handicap. But it was Depp’s quiet strength, doubts, struggles and self-loathing (or mother-loathing) that made the movie as powerful as it was. The scene where he realizes that his brother has sat in the bathtub all night long, almost freezing to death, was heartwrenching because of Depp’s simultaneous regret and frustration and guilt.
Movie #2: Benny and Joon. *sigh* I love this movie. A tribute to Buster Keaton, Depp’s portrayal of a man who falls in love with a mentally ill young woman is sentimental and gut-wrenching all at the same time. The scenes between Sam (depp) and Benny (the ill girl’s older brother) are interesting to watch because you can see Benny’s mistrust of Sam from the moment they meet, and yet Sam seems to harbor no ill-will toward Benny for much of the time, until he realizes how much Joon actually means to him. Their dynamic against each other in shared scenes is great.
Movie #3: Don’t get me started on “Ed Wood” – BRILLIANT. Manic Johnny Depp is a GREAT Johnny Depp because he so rarely acts that way on film.
Let’s talk about his next movie: Sweeney Todd. It’s another collaboration with director Tim Burton, and the trailer looks AWESOME. You can see it when you visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site. I’m also a fan of Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter, who also star in the movie. The trailer makes the movie look like typical gothic Burton, and I can’t wait to see it.
And don’t forget to visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace for more treats and info about the movie.