Mainly to see Johnny Depp act, plus I like historical movies anyways but I came away a bit disappointed in this one. His character in the film was very unsympathetic and unlikeable so for me it kills any interest I may have as the plot progesses and for the film overall. While I thought his acting overall was good the movie itself was not enjoyable to watch. Is it just me or is Depp going through a lull lately? Normally he makes great choices and carries a film well, even a bad one but between this and his performance in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory his presence seems to be minus rather than a plus.


I just thought I'd mention this because I know a lot of you are gay for Johnny Depp.




Here's what others are saying about it:

Randy Myers: "[B]y THE LIBERTINE'S conclusion, we leave the theater without a doubt that we have just spent two hours watching one of our finest living actors shine."

Jack Garner: "Despite its challenging central character, THE LIBERTINE offers a curiously entertaining look at a true original, as well as a glance at a fascinating age in English history, as a society goes bonkers after a time of repression. Depp's portrayal is disturbing, yet darkly charismatic, even a bit charming. It's among the actor's best work; though, as he freely states, you're not going to like him."

James Verniere: "See Johnny Depp literally shag himself to death in THE LIBERTINE, a much-maligned film adaptation of the play by Stephen Jeffreys set in the swinging '70s - the swinging 1670s, that is. [. . .] As wonderful as Depp has been in such roles as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Captain Jack Sparrow, he brings even more conviction, humanity and fire to the role of Rochester.[. . .] At a time when the earth seems overrun with sheep, the scandalous 2nd Earl of Rochester is a wolf worth knowing."

Roger Ebert: "Libertines are not built for third acts. No self-respecting libertine lives that long. Johnny Depp finds sadness in the earl's descent, and a desire to be loved even as he makes himself unlovable. What a brave actor Depp is, to take on a role like this. Still, at the screenplay stage, THE LIBERTINE might have seemed a safer bet than PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, a movie studio executives reportedly thought was unreleasable. In both cases, Depp accepts the character and all of its baggage, and works without a net. He is capable of subtle nuances, but the pirate and the earl are not, and Depp gamely follows them into wretched excess. You will not like the Second Earl of Rochester. But you will not be able to take your eyes from him."

Isn't this how they're marketing this film? Doesn't he warn you of this in the first line of the preview?

Looks terrible to me.

I think I've seen ever film Depp has made and have never thought his presence to be a minus in any of them.

Except for ayah, who happens to be straight for Johnny Depp.


I'm with Frosted here, I've pretty much loved everything I've ever seen him in. I actually just rewatched "Ed Wood" last weekend. Everytime he does that crazy wide-eyed stare in that movie I just loose it.

edit: heh heh, I wrote "with Froster".

have you ever seen The Astronaut's Wife?

it's getting panned. it sat on the shelf for a year before they released it. never a good sign.

Yeah. I never wanna sit through it again, but again, Depp was good. The movie wasn't.

But you kept the 'loose'??

wasn't there already a movie called the Libertine with Audrey Tatou?

Um, yes, um I'm canadian okay, we spell things differently up here.