Revenge is like a poison; it can take you over and before you know, it can turn you into something ugly. Okay okay, I stole that from Spiderman 3 (2007). But those wise words from Aunt May are true however; the idea of revenge is impossible in conventional Hollywood films, even in a musical.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) is a film of revenge. That is if revenge took a sharp knife to your throat. After leaving London due to a false arrest from judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) and the loss of his wife, Benjamin Barker, now Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), returns to seek out his daughter and a little more. With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), he reclaims himself as a barber in the hopes of giving the judge the closest shave he has ever had. Anthony Hope (Jamie Campbell Bower), a sailor who helps bring Todd back to Fleet Street, pursues the love interest of Johanna (Jayne Wisener); Todd’s long lost daughter and Turpin’s captive, who turns out to be more a disruption in Todd’s plan.
The look and the feel of this film is well…Tim Burton-esque. Nothing short of what is expected from the man; just the right amount of dark colors, which is countered by the bright burgundy red of blood seen throughout the movie. Carter’s performance of “By the Sea,” was a visually amusing scene; the dark and eerie costumes contrasted well with the bright backgrounds as well the droll and bleak expression on Depp’s face. The pace of the film is nice and steady. The tone of the film begins very witty and sarcastic between dialogues, with what little there is between the musical numbers. I did find it interesting to see Rickman, Spall, and Carter working together in role other than the Harry Potter films. Overall, this film is visually stunning and leaves nothing short to look at.
This movie takes on the role of billing a very popular cast: Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, and the always funny Sacha Baron Cohen. There is only one problem with this cast: none of theses actors are singers. The initial reaction to the idea of Johnny Depp playing the leading role in a musical didn’t seem to go well. Nonetheless, the cast pulls it off nicely. It’s definitely not the greatest vocal talents you will hear, but it works well especially with the grimness that this film depicts. Bower seemed to do well; his solo piece “Johanna” was one of the better pieces in the film. What helped to assist this musical ensemble is the beautiful and grand scale of the orchestra. Twas delicious I must say.
Overall this film is visually stunning, and worth the watch. If anything, this film is worth seeing just to see Alan Rickman sing. I took a look at this film, without delving into Stephen Sondheim’s version of the musical, mainly because I know nothing about it. For a comparison of the film and musical, check out Jette Kernion’s take over at Cinematical.
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