The Libertine

page 18

! There May Be SPOILERS in the movie reviews !

Dir: Laurence Dunmore
With: Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, Kelly Reilly

Contrary to the bad word-of-mouth that has preceded its long-delayed and rather muted release, this adaptation of Stephen Jeffreys's stage play is one of the most ambitious and intriguing British films of recent years. Its flaws are undeniable – it can't sustain the hectic energy of its first half; it gets far too gooey about its disreputable protagonist, the second Earl of Rochester (Johnny Depp); John Malkovich as King Charles II is saddled with possibly the least convincing fake nose in cinema history. But it's clever, dirty and sad all at the same time, which is a combination all too rare in the pretty world of conventional English costume drama; and its characters burn with conviction.

Johnny Depp has the time of his life as the throbbingly priapic Earl (who introduces himself with the defiantly anachronistic assertion, "Ladies, I am up for it – all the time!"), but his supporting cast more than match him. The ladies themselves are terrific, especially the exquisite Rosamund Pike as the Earl's long-suffering wife, and the increasingly impressive young Kelly Reilly as the streetwise prostitute who adores him in spite of herself. Like its hero, this is a gorgeous, dirty, intriguing mess of a thing, distinctly disreputable but well worth rolling around with.

I've made it no secret that I am a huge fan of Johnny Depp on this site -- even starting rumors that my "appreciation" of the man might go beyond his talent alone and into the "man-crush" category (no rumor), which is cool because the Depp fans from around the world keep sending us the latest on the man, which is nice for everyone, right? Well, thanks to one of the top Depp fans out there, 'Linda from DeppCon', we're all gonna savor some insight from the AFI tribute to Depp which took place this past weekend, along with Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominating Committee & Foundation Screening of THE LIBERTINE. Oh, and what's this about her telling Depp that "JoBlo says Hi"...read on, my fellow schmoes. Take it away, Linda!

So to those of you who want to know what happened at the American Film Institute's Tribute to Johnny Depp, here goes! Getting into the event involved standing in line a long time, but well worth the wait. Once in my friend and I got great seats. In fact we were in the row ahead of Danny Depp and just a few seats over. The event started late but a great montage of Johnny's movies was shown (seems "Private Resort" somehow got left out!) and finally Johnny Depp appeared on stage to a standing ovation.

For those with an interest in fashion...brown suit, darker brown shirt, brown and white shoes, glasses, no hat, a pocket chain and very little in the way of baubles and bangles. The interviewer was Richard Schickel. Keep in mind my eyes were riveted on Johnny and ET could have been sitting next to me and I wouldn't have noticed, so I probably missed something. Johnny did talk about his ability to do impersonations and his admiration for Richard Little and admitted he impersonated his teachers when he was in school. Johnny also said he didn't like the character of Joe Pistone in "Donnie Brasco" but after he met Joe Pistone he said it took about 15 minutes and he "fell in love" with him.

Let's see, what else can I remember...Johnny talked about "Edward Scissorhands" and how he didn't think he had a chance for the part and how his agent, Tracey Jacobs, made him go to the meeting and about how he was sitting in his sauna and came up with the rocking motion of Captain Jack as he was reading the script and getting over-heated. Another question was about Johnny playing "outsiders" and Johnny said it was more like they just weren't "insiders". Film clips from four of Johnny's movies were shown and he just would not look at them - embarrasses him, I think. He was not completely at ease during the interview as he was doing his "finger drumming" routine quite a bit -- he's getting a lot better about public appearances though. After the interview, we had to leave the theater, get back in line, wait (at least it gave us time to buy food!), and then re-enter the same theater to see "The Libertine".

Before the start, the director Laurence Dunmore, introduced the film itself, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich and Johnny Depp. Johnny is quite enthusiastic and proud of this film.

Then the came "The Libertine" and my review follows below (scroll all the way down).

Saturday night my girlfriend and I attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominating Committee & Foundation Screening of "The Libertine". Again we stood in line for over two hours. The event was held at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. The friend who got us tickets told us (my friend and me) to make sure we sat on the left side of the theater (very small - 480 seats) and to sit on the aisle as Johnny would come in that way.

"The Libertine" was shown first and just before it ended the woman I was with poked me and said, "Johnny just walked by me!", and indeed he did. His security people got him into a little room off to the side of the screen. After the movie (which I love), he was introduced and naturally got a screaming, standing ovation. He did a Q&A and took questions from the audience. The interviewer asked some of the same questions again - what was your inspiration for Captain Jack, for example, and referred to his living in France, which he again tried to correct. He seemed to be having a wonderful time as he was laughing and joking the whole time and was much more at ease.

Fashion report: cream colored pants, short-sleeved blue shirt, brown fedora, black boots (not his old favorites), brown leather bomber jacket (which he later removed), glasses, two rings, one watch with leather band and one necklace. One question from the audience was what was the most difficult accent he had to learn and his answer was the Scottish accent in "Finding Neverland." The woman in the audience asked if he would do a German accent and he said a couple of sentences in German "My father is a bullfighter" and "I am a watermelon." Someone else asked him about decompressing after a film and he said it was difficult and that after the 45 days of hectic filming of "The Libertine" he was actually sick in bed for two weeks.

He was asked about the drawbacks of being an actor and, of course, he talked about the lack of privacy - people pointing and whispering when he is in a restaurant, for example. He understands it goes with the territory. He was asked about the roll dance in "Benny & Joon" and said it was by far much harder to learn than the physical routine he did. He studied the roll dance done by Charlie Chaplin frame by frame to learn the routine. He also mentioned he could have broken his neck (not exact words) learning the physical routine.

After the Q&A, the announcement was made that Johnny had to leave and the whole place erupted and everyone seemed to be making a mad dash for the stage to get close to him. Security had their arms linked and had him surrounded, but some people did manage to get autographs and pictures.

As for me, I figured I would never make it anywhere near him in that mob and then I noticed security was easing him to the left. I fought my way out of the mob and went all the way to the left. While I'm waiting I think about Johnny always being kind to kids and those with disabilities, so I wonder what would happen if I said something about age. When he got close to me I said, "Please, Johnny, I'm old!". (Hey, I'm not in my dotage, but I'm not a teeny-bopper.) So, he turns and looks at me and starts to laugh. He comes over and says, "No one has ever called me old before", and I reply, "Noooo, not you, me!". Then he really laughs.

I handed him a photo to autograph and he starts to write and then says, "This pen isn't going to show up on this picture. Let me find another pen." He turns around and walks away and then returns with another pen and signs my picture. I then lean toward him and he leans toward me and I say, "JoBlo, Berge Garabedian", said to say hi." He smiled and said, "Thank you." I then said, "Thank you. You're wonderful!". Then I backed up and fainted...just kidding...but I was a little shaky! I tell you when this man listens to what you are saying it is like being the only person in the world. His total attention is focused on you. He is exceedingly gracious, polite and kind. And absolutely beautiful, which goes without saying.

So, I got my autograph, he actually spoke to me and I was able to say hi to Johnny from JoBlo. Quite an evening!

THE LIBERTINE

I'm not a film critic, just a moviegoer. I've loved movies critics hated, and hated movies critics loved. The following is only my opinion of "The Libertine", a film I have seen twice, and will see many more times.

Hopefully, you know the story of John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester (Johnny Depp) and his relationship to the actress Lizzie Barry (Samantha Morton) and King Charles II (John Malkovich). If not, do your research. Johnny Depp is mesmerizing as the debauched, licentious poet John Wilmot from his opening monologue until the end of the film when he asks, "Do you like me now?" Pay attention as he says this four times and each time the inflection is different. Did I like him? Oh, yes indeed. He was a complicated, tortured, tragic figure bent on his own destruction who insisted on the truth at all costs. His death at age 33 from syphilis and alcohol brought tears to my eyes. I am far more deeply moved by a stoic portrayal of a character facing tragedy than by a flailing, wailing, over-emoting character who, unfortunately for the actor, forces me to stifle my laughter.

If you are expecting beautiful clothes and fantastic sets, don't. The film is dark, gritty, grainy and muddy, a setting much more realistic to the time period. Personally, I did not find the film nearly as obscene, pornographic or vulgar as I expected. There is nudity, the language is quite crude at times, some scenes are very graphic and Wilmot certainly is no angel. And yet, as terrible as Wilmot wants us to believe him to be, there seems to me to be a tiny spark of goodness that shines through. As dark as this movie is, it also contains great humor. And, if you are a Johnny Depp fan, be prepared for Johnny to finally get his wish and destroy his beauty.

I doubt "The Libertine" will be a blockbuster and it certainly won't appeal to the masses. My advice would be to give it a chance and let yourself be drawn into this amazing period in history and into the life of John Wilmot.

-- Linda from Deppcon

THE LIBERTINE opens in limited release on November 15th and wider on January 13th, 2006.

Johnny Depp plays the second Earl of Rochester, famed for his carousing and wild ways.

A National Trust conservationist was on hand to offer advice during the filming of Johnny Depp’s raunchy love scenes on the set of his new film.

She wasn’t there to tell Johnny where to put his hat, however, but was instead advising the film crew on conservation issues on location at Montacute House in Somerset, a trust property.

“I was one of only a small number of people on set for the love scenes – an unusual environment to be giving conservation advice!” said Sharon Masters, Acting House Steward at Montacute House.

A 16th century bed in the house’s crimson bedroom was used in some particularly steamy scenes and Sharon had to make sure that the romps caused no damage to the valuable antique.

The film, entitled The Libertine, is on general release in the UK from November 18 2005 and tells the story of John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, who lived from 1647 to 1680.

Montacute is an excellently preserved Elizabethan mansion and the perfect setting for a spot of Restoration-era action. © National Trust
 Shows a photo of a large, red-brick Elizabethan building with a sloping lawn in front of it

Rochester, played by Depp, was a poet and notorious rake and the film reveals his outrageous exploits against the backdrop of the house and other historic properties.

“Montacute House is a favoured location for many film producers,” said Sharon. “It was a fascinating insight to see a glimpse of the house as it may have looked and been lived in during the period," she added. “The project involved months of preparation and two weeks of filming over two floors and using ten rooms within the house.”

Montacute, with its surrounding gardens and park, is a magnificent Elizabethan stone-built house built in the 16th century.

Its state rooms are packed with 17th and 18th century furniture and it displays many fine Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery in its Long Hall.
Shows a photo of the interior of an opulently decorated room with a table laid out for dinner in it, tall windows and a large oil painting on one wall

Charlecote Park and its grand house in Warwickshire also feature in the film. © National Trust

Charlecote Park in Warwickshire, another National Trust property, was also used for the film, as the trust’s Film Locations Manager, Harvey Edgington, explained:

“Neither property has been developed since the Tudor period and the film producers changed little inside," he said. "Much of what you see on film is original and this helps really capture the essence of the era. The Earl of Rochester would have been very much at home.”

National Trust properties are often used for location filming, and 2005’s screen version of Pride and Prejudice also showcased some of the country’s finest stately homes, including Basildon Park in Berkshire.

Montacute House is currently closed for the winter, re-opening on March 18 2006, although the gardens are still open for the public.

The Official Libertine Site



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