Movie Review: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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Written by Carly Hope Finseth
Much hype has surrounded the big screen version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Golden Globe and Oscar wins and nods aside, for uber-fans of Tim Burton/Johnny Depp match-ups, this one is a doozy - and marks a quite remarkable adaptation of the classic Broadway musical. For the rest of us, however, Sweeney Todd is a bit like being on the outside of an inside joke: you simply won't get it.
In many ways, Sweeney Todd is a masterpiece. The way in which Tim Burton has filmed the graphic musical is phenomenal; it's no wonder it won the 2007 Oscar for Art Direction. But when it comes to the meat of the film (no pun intended), it falls horribly, terribly flat.
For starters, let's take the music. Award-winning Stephen Sondheim (musical creator for Sweeney Todd, as well as hits Into the Woods, Company, Follies, and many more) has long been regarded as one of the geniuses of Broadway. His lyrics are timeless and often humorous (he wrote for West Side Story, among others), and his timing is incredible. What he is not known for, however, is necessarily being musically catchy. In fact, his music is renowned for being difficult to sing and perform - as it often bounces around unmelodically, flying along by the seat of its pants. That could be why, then, his music doesn't translate really well to the big screen. Let's set aside the fact that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter can hardly sing (their acting performances mostly make up for what their voices lack) and consider this: Not once throughout the movie was there a song that I could take with me - that I could sing aloud or even hum along with. And so. When a musical doesn't have a ditty that sticks in your head, it can equal a problem translating to viewers - something that Sweeney Todd most definitely has trouble with.
Yet, that doesn't even begin to touch on the real trouble with this movie: it was simply uninteresting. Heavily accented singing voices didn't help the fact that many of the actors - and, therefore, plots - were difficult to understand. The characters were two - and sometimes one - dimensional at best, their relationships with one another tenuous and unbelievable. Add to that a few haphazard characters that were clearly cast only for their singing ability and it made for one unsettling film... and not in a good way. By the time that the gore (never mind that it's clearly fake) made its nasty appearance - with throats being deeply slashed left and right - it was not only boring but also unnecessary. I really didn't need to see the same scene again and again and again... as Mr. Todd continued to butcher his victims one after another in the same. exact. manner.
That's not to say that there wasn't at least a little bit of entertainment value with Sweeney Todd. In addition to Burton's filming style, Helena Bonham Carter stole the show. Her lines were often funny and well delivered; her character - the creepy Mrs. Lovett, owner of the local meat pie shop and Todd's partner in crime - was the driving force behind the show. Sadly, Depp could have thrown his considerable talent into the ring, but instead opted to play Mr. Todd as a more subtle - and way too serious - characterization of the original Broadway persona. (Perhaps he and his costars were too distracted with the complicated soundtrack to pull out their acting A-game?) I'll tell you: I've never been one to use the words "dull" and "lifeless" to describe Johnny Depp... but I suppose there's a first time for everything.
I'll admit that I don't always enjoy Tim Burton films; I like my movies to have a bit more performance and characterizations than his visual productions often have room for. However, even with that said, I must say that there is absolutely no excuse for a movie filled with staggering visuals, soaring musical numbers, gallons of blood, and even Johnny Depp for chrissakes, to be boring... and yet, it was.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter Dreamworks Pictures, 2007. Rated R. Available online at Amazon.com.
About the Author
Carly Hope Finseth spends much of her time pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. She alternates between days filled with cozy socks, hot tea, and meditative reflection - and others, which are loaded with caffeine fixes, grueling commutes, and one fire to put out after another. When she’s not sifting through e-mails, dropping her cell phone, or sticking another reminder Post-It on her desk, Carly also somehow finds the time to write and reflect on important (and the occasional not-so-important) feminist issues.
My curse is my gift. My nightmares, deep sensitivity, and emotional instability gives the best (and most uncomfortable) inspirations I could ever have. For me, art is passion - and visions are the mirror, which show my feelings and connect me with the rest of the world. Read More...
Much hype has surrounded the big screen version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Golden Globe and Oscar wins and nods aside, for uber-fans of Tim Burton/Johnny Depp match-ups, this one is a doozy - and marks a quite remarkable adaptation of the classic Broadway musical. For the rest of us, however, Sweeney Todd is a bit like being on the outside of an inside joke: you simply won't get it.
Carly Hope Finseth spends much of her time pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. She alternates between days filled with cozy socks, hot tea, and meditative reflection - and others, which are loaded with caffeine fixes, grueling commutes, and one fire to put out after another. When she’s not sifting through e-mails, dropping her cell phone, or sticking another reminder Post-It on her desk, Carly also somehow finds the time to write and reflect on important (and the occasional not-so-important) feminist issues.
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