'Sweeney' is 'a major, major film' . . . or not?
Not only can Johnny Depp sing, but Hollywood-Elsewhere.com scribe Jeff Wells does, too — he breaks into an aria of delirious love for Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd." (Click Here)
"Pardon me for sounding like a pushover, but this movie pushes over," he says. "At times it melted me like a candle. I was lifted, moved. I was never not aroused. Every frame is a painting. Johnny Depp is fantastic as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street — he has to be a best actor candidate as of this moment."
"Al I know for sure is that I was mesmerized. I loved the duets, the look of it, the control, the poise, the ache, the tragedy. This is a major, major film. Way up there."
Sing it, Jeff! Attend the tale of "Sweeney Todd"!
Then just think of what hysterics will break out nationwide when this thing — this devilish, dark work of movie magic, starring ulta-hip Johnny Depp, no less — opens nationwide!
But will it cast its spell upon Oscar voters?
"The Bagger thinks not," warns New York Times Carpetbagger David Carr. (Click Here)
"Personally, I couldn’t shake the notion that Todd was a one-dimensional rendering, a character I couldn’t have cared less about due to a lack of connectivity," adds Kris Tapley of InContention.com/ Variety.com. "It might work for you, it will, I’m sure, work for many (and has) — but it doesn’t work for me." (Click Here)
Kris promises to give "Sweeney" another viewing. Perhaps then he'll feel Sondheim's razor dig in.
Whatever the result, his and David Carr's warnings are important to heed. Inevitably, there will be similar reax within the academy. But thanks to the Oscars' voting process using a preferential ballot, "Sweeney" just needs a passionate core of support to nab the noms it needs. Jeff and my fanaticism is mirrored by others and it suggests similar reax among future viewers. Therefore, I think noms for best picture, director and actor are in the bag. And it looks like Johnny Depp is a lock to win best actor.
Ah, but what about that top best picture prize? Can "Sweeney" snare it, as I've been predicting since late October?
Oh, don'tcha just love Oscar cliffhangers?!
STOP TALKING ABOUT SWEENEY TODD ALL THE TIME!
Trust me - you'll help it in the long run...
Posted by: Elon | December 03, 2007 at 08:37 AM
I agree with you Tom that Sweeney Todd is the best film of the year. The reason being that it's the most interesting and "different" film out there. In addition to the stunning visuals, macabre story and fantastic acting/singing, it blends theater and film in an extremely satisfying way. Yes, it's bloody, but the blood is almost a charatcter in the film. For me it symbolizes the release of Sweeney's anger, as well as his final release in the end. As for it being too bloody for the Academy voters, I hope not. I'm a squeamish person but found I couldn't take my eyes off the screen even during those bloody moments,what I was seeing was too compelling. Let's hope the majority of the Academy sees what a truly fantastic film Sweeney Todd is and will reward Burton/Depp with their long overdue Oscars.
Posted by: CalGal | December 01, 2007 at 06:02 PM
I agree with your viewpoint Tom that Sweeney Todd is the best picture of the year. Not only for the stunning visuals, macabre story, and fantastic acting/singing, but that it's so "different" from what's out there this year. Yes, it's bloody, but the blood is a character in itself. To me it represents Sweeney's release of anger and without giving too much away, his demise as well. I'm a squeamish person and even though parts of the film were difficult to watch, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. The acting was so intense it drew me into this tragic story. Here's hoping that many in the Academy will want something different and brilliant this year. Both Depp/Burton are long overdue.
Posted by: CalGal | December 01, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Well Kris didn't like No Country either, so I'm going to ignore him (or her, I think him but Kris is with a K so i'm not 100%). But personally I feel that nothing is art unless it is hated by half and loved by the other half. So this works for me. Regardless of the movie and how great it is, it sounds as though it is an inevitable Best Picture nominee simply because of the artistic/tech branches and Johnny Depp's performance (I'm thinking like Elizabeth in 1997)
Posted by: AJ | December 01, 2007 at 08:07 AM