By Pat Vincent
FAIRMONT — Finally!
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has arrived in Fairmont! And let me just tell you — it was well worth the wait.
From gloriously demented director Tim Burton comes the film adaptation of the Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim. As usual, Burton’s muse is Johnny Depp. The big question is: How were Depp’s pipes? A totally respectable and solid baritone. It proves once and for all that (just like JT), there’s seemingly nothing Depp can’t do.
The story is simple enough — one of the oldest chapters in the human condition actually: revenge. There’s a promising young barber with a pretty wife and a cute baby. There’s a greedy judge with his eye on the barber’s girl. He has the barber sent away and woos the shattered girl. Years later, the barber returns. Just like Edmond Dantes, he’s no longer the naïve kid named Benjamin Barker. However, instead of a rich count, He’s transformed into a monster. One who feeds on blood.
A monster named Sweeney Todd.
If you’re like me (dislike musicals), I would say to steer clear of “Sweeney Todd,” but I enjoyed the film ... songs and all. I mean, there were a couple of songs I felt they could’ve dropped. Hello! The daughter singing to her canary? And ... well, all of the daughter’s suitor’s songs: Sorry. Good-bye. That’s me.
Depp, of course, was awesome. So, I won’t bore you here with more accolades for him. Instead, let me dote on the rest of the sterling cast. First off, Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett (aka Lady of the Human Meat Pie)? Perfect. Really, who else could you see in that role? And Alan Rickman as the old villainous judge? Man, I don’t care if it’s Professor Snape, Dr. Lazarus or Hans Gruber — count me in. Rickman is so money. Lastly, Sacha Baron Cohen as the blackmailing rival barber Signor Pirelli? Totally hysterical. He was just plain great. Depp has called Cohen a modern-day Peter Sellers. I think that sums it up.
The DL: Burton has done it again! This is a bloody, messy, beautiful movie. But, beware: When there is blood, it is gushing. The movie is basically black and white ... and RED.
Take a look at ole Sweeney and compare him to Edward ... Scissorhands ... ah, now you see it.
To the Parents: This is not one for the kiddies. It’s rated R for “graphic bloody violence.” And they aren’t kidding.
Rating: If movies were blood, “Sweeney Todd” would be A positive.
