watching movies one cup at a time

I have to admit, I have been going back and forth with this one. When I first saw it in the theater, I was not thrilled. It’s grim and very bloody. Just heavy dark, nonstop. But I found myself going back to the music again and again. I wound up downloading the soundtrack and I can’t stop listening to it. That is mostly to the credit of Stephen Sondheim for writing the songs. But I do like the versions from the film a lot better than the original Broadway recordings. Tim Burton gives it a lush feel to match the depths of the city around the characters. And Johnny and Helena do a great job with the music.

Johnny Depp is of course amazing again. The range he is capable of is quite impressive. This character was like a cross between Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka all combined and much more sinister. It was a delight to watch him fill the room every time he was in the scene. Helena Bonham Carter was very good as Mrs. Lovett and managed to evoke tenderness convincingly alongside cold-blooded murder. After seeing the movie it’s hard to see anyone else in that role. And of course Alan Rickman was his usual perfect self. Timothy Spall did his fabulous nasty toady role that he has perfected in many films over the years, always creepy.

I generally have a problem with Tim Burton movies in that I feel they don’t ever quite live up to my expectations. I always go in with very high hopes and even though the movies are never bad, they are often not great either. I do enjoy his sense of style and visual depth he brings to his films. He is certainly wonderfully creative and has a distinct voice. But the stories always just miss the target for me. And I think that was the feeling I had when I left the theater. Mainly because the film was just too grim and dark. I’m all for grim and dark but this was getting pretty low with no sign of light. Of course the original story is grim, but I don’t believe the original stage production got THIS dark.

So overall I did enjoy the movie. The actors were great, I loved the style of the film, and the songs from the film version really stayed with me. But be warned, there is a LOT of blood and rather violent actions connected to it. However I will say this, it’s definitely NOT the same feel as the “gore porn” of Hostel and Saw. It’s more… “arty” I believe would be the best word

I look forward to the next Depp/Burton collaboration.