The Libertine
Dir: Laurence Dunmore
2004
***
Some of the scenes in Laurence Dunmore's The Libertine are visually stunning, most though are spoiled by an ill conceived 'Candle-light' filter that becomes quite irritating after a while. The script is also wickedly deviant but is often spoiled by terrible overacting, mainly by the miscast supporting actors. It is self-indulgent and badly structured, a real missed opportunity considering the subject matter. The 'Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery' scene could have been longer and a little more sleazy, indeed the whole film could have been a little longer and a little more sleazy. John Malkovich's fake nose was unforgivable but at least he got the accent right this time, and to be fair, Depp's make-up in the last few scenes was impressive. An unsuccessful film to say the least but I've got to be honest, I really enjoyed it. Depp was fantastic, and so was Morton (apart from a few moments of over the top acting), the script was solid too and it was very funny. Just could/should have been so much more....debauched.