Years back, when I’d heard about this insane broadway musical, i was an instant fan. However, what I’m not a fan of, is musicals that are turned into movies. They don't always work. And just become strange half and halves. This, I believe will not fall into that category.
Sweeny Todd – the demon barber of fleet street is thee movie everyone's been waiting for. The movie, just like the musical, is based on the 19th century legend of Sweeney Todd a.k.a. Benjamin Barker. It begins when Benjamin Barker returns to London after being sent away by Judge Turpin. In London, he meets Mrs. Lovett, a woman who owns a Meat Pie Shop were she sells "the worst pies in London." Barker opens a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett's shop. And with her help, he plans to get back at all the people who have crossed him in the past. In the process, he also hopes for a reunion with his daughter, Joanna, who is now Judge Turpin's ward.
The movie brings back the dazzling partnership of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Sweeny Todd is not your average singing and dancing drab where the music is either jarring or useless or both. It's a dark, horrific, and strangely hilarious story where the songs are an integral part of the storytelling. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Sweeny Todd aka Benjamin Barker, who is smashing as the pale demon barber. Since it is a musical, it helps that the man can sing, and sing Sondheim. As usual, he brings the character to life with his own unapologetic splashes of interpretation. He stays in character from the get go - nailing the accent, the mannerisms and the songs in every single frame. The other star of the movie is Tim Burton. The man is at his artistic. He effortlessly blends the powerful music with stunning imagery. It's Butron. So, the gore is rather gory. There is generous amounts of studio blood. And a few moments where turning away isn't a bad idea for the faint hearted. But it's not something most people would be offended or shocked by. The cinematography, art direction, the entire package for that matter is magical. As a matter of our opinion, there's nothing lacking in any department. Of course, some people might criticise the entire movie, because in some vague scene the colour of the actor's hair clashed with a curtain in the right hand corner. You're free to fall for (even agree with) such critics and their critiques. Just, don't nod along your heads with those who criticise simply for the sake of it. When Depp is nominated for Best Actor next year, they'd also be the first ones to say, "I knew it!"
|