The Libertine (2004)

A likable character fails at every important thing. Then he dies.We start with a deceptive, dramatic monologue. The lead actor had not yet developed full-blown affectation, so his delivery is still interesting and engaging. And we have to root for his character because he's anti-establishment with an incisive line against hypocrisy.The love interest is great, with lovely performances by all the actresses, but especially in the stage-larnin' scene - I think you can see Depp lose his composure for a second when confronted with Morton's brilliance. The politics is done OK, although the set piece at the end is too stagey.I was confused by the story telling in the middle - took me a while to figure out he had syphilis - I'd assumed his disfigurement was down to being burned in the theatre fire. The death scene was good.The odd thing is that the beginning and end monologues are the reverse of what I felt: Do you like me? No, not really - I preferred you before you failed.It looked good to me, no complaints about lighting. And another IDMber is right - needed more Purcell and Handel on the soundtrack, less piano.Finally, no idea why this is rated 18.

This film recounts the life and times of a 17th century poet who wallowed in drink and debauchery. This is a dull and dreary film that not only tells an ugly story about an uninteresting fellow, but also looks ugly. The cinematography is gray and grainy, making for a very depressing viewing experience. The script is too murky. It starts with Depp seemingly talking to the audience from beyond the grave and goes downhill from there. The dialog is too pretentious and there's too much of it. It's just an unpleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Depp tries hard and there are other good actors, but they are given little to work with. Curiously this is the only directorial credit of Dunmore.

This movie was the worst movie I have ever seen in my life time.Johnny Depp's performance was great. However the movie itself was down right awful.It was demented and degrading to gays and women. Toward the end of this piece of crap movie,he looked like a decaying corpse. I did not know that rotten flesh bad language and a lot of sex made a good movie.I thought that good acting and a good plot made a good movie.Not a man with a horrible affliction and bad acting. That is my mom's take on this ghastly movie, mine is I found it be appalling and an abomination! I did not know that obsession with man's genitals and orgies! Made a movie good! Depp's performance was one of his best ever, it is to bad. He wasted on such a disgusting , perverted piece of tripe! This movie is like the plague, it lingers and makes you suffer as you watch it! I think the worst part was his body deteriorate and wither in decay! We give this movie an F, not suitable for everyone due the pervese and disturbing content. How it made it to theaters we have no idea!

This is a movie adaptation/dramatisation of a play, written by Stephen Jeffrey, based on the life of the infamous John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1 April 1647 – 26 July 1680), an English Libertine poet, a courtier of King Charles II, and the writer of much satirical and bawdy poetry. It's a movie about an admirable yet pitiful waste of a great talent, a cynic of his own golden age, and I think this is one of Johnny Depp's best performances, if not The Best of all his a career. His portrayal of the decadent, poetic rebel of 17th Century Restoration England, who in the end seeks for redemption, is spotless and exquisite! You have to be in tune with theatrical representations, poetry recitals and 17th Century English accents. The decadent Depp's poetry reciting and Samantha Morton's 'Opehlia' are mesmerising. The chemistry between the two is perfect and we are enthralled to watch their relationship develop first as teacher and pupil and then as lovers till separation. The entire movie was filmed with natural daylight and candles (lots of candles!!) therefore the cinematography looks rather rough and dilettante, but I guess it was intentional, to portray the atmosphere and filthiness of 17th Century life. The only thing I missed was a few period music pieces, some Purcell or Handel maybe instead of the quiet piano twinkling.Biographically it's pretty much accurate but historical events are over-dramatised.This is a period drama with a lot of visual and verbal sexuality and debauchery; therefore I rate this 18 and over!!!I loved it and will watch it again...with English subtitles though...to improve my shakespearean raunchy speech!!