- Johnny Depp – The Libertine
Well, this is just one of those curiousity posts. It’s concerning, perhaps my favorite actor (who isn’t dead), Johnny Depp…I’ve been a huge fan of his work since the “21 Jump Street” days (which he has said many times he loathed…it DID put him on the path to success though…and he’ll readily admit this). I’ve seen virtually every movie he’s been in to date (“Public Enemies” was awesome, if somewhat long) and I’m just curious as to what other Johnny D. fans think: What is/are your favorite movie/movies starring Johnny Depp? Has anyone besides myself, and maybe a few thousand other people, actually seen “The Libertine”? If not…you should…the opening monologue itself is worth watching the movie for. Anyway, I’d love to hear what other people think…what are your favorite Johnny Depp movies?
Favorite Johnny Depp movie: Charlie and the Chocolate..i know some people say that the Wilder version is better but i don’t know, i think it’s his (johnny’s) charm in the movie plus, i think he looks really cute and funnylooking the movie..but my second choice would be Benny & Joon…
Have to agree that I like the JD version better than the GW version. Loved Benny & Joon too! Thanks for the reply
My favorite…hmm. Hard to say…I love all of his movies…Chocolat comes to mind…he was sweet in Gilbert Grape…I ADORED him in Pirates, but that’s almost cliche, since everyone loved that movie…lol. I wanted to devour him in Don Juan deMarco.
Every single movie of his that I’ve seen is made terrific because he’s in it. I have not seen The Libertine but I am going to put it on my list. He is an interesting actor – his intensity is unequaled. I love the way he pours his heart and soul into his roles. I agree, too, that his version of Willie Wonka was way better than Gene Wilder’s.
Devour, yes, my sentiments exactly!! And DITO to everything else you said! LOL!
I have Don Juan deMarco! LOL! That’s also got another great one in it…Brando! Loved that movie too…and yeah, I like the Pirates movies too, but like you said…everyone does…he steals every scene! HAH! You really should watch The Libertine…awesome acting and like I said in the post…the beginning (and ending) monologues are classic! Thanks for the reply!
I love the Nick of Time. It has a great sense of suspense and psychological stress that is underaprieciated. That film was basically a flop and that is a shame. I love the tribute video on utube. It has all the challenging scenes from the movie. I love the song with it too. “Run, we’ll find you”…appropriate lyrics. LOL.
That’s wild…I’d almost forgotten that one…I liked it too though…I agree with you on the sense of suspense…good cast too…love Christopher Walken also!
I have not seen “The Libertine”, but If you recommend it I think I should. Well I know I should as I love Johnny Depp, and consider him to be a brilliant actor. Even tho as some one says it might be a bit of a cliche, I do love his performance in the Pirates films, he absolutely makes them what they are. His interpretation of his character is just perfect. The best thing about Depp is that he manage to become someone completely different with every role he plays, and there aren’t all that many actors that can transform as much as he is capable of doing. He’s just brilliant, can’t wait for Alice in Wonderland!
Well put! I agree, and I think that’s the mark of a great actor…their ability to literally “disappear” into each character they play…Johnny Depp has a special gift for doing just that!
BTW, I definately do recommend that you see “The Libertine”! It’s based on a real person and is a period piece…talking about getting lost in a role! It’s just incredible acting (not just on JD’s part), and if you watch the extras, you’ll find out about how it almost didn’t get made! Take care!
One of my favourite Johnny Depp performances has always been as Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, wonderfully trippy, downright bizarre and laugh out loud funny throughout. He seems to be able to create these larger than life characters effortlessly, but practically every one of even the smallest mannerisms in Fear and Loathing has meaning, remarkable.
His mannerisms are what make him a “scene stealer” and a great actor…he understands that an actor is alway’s DOING something, not just standing around waiting to give his lines…this too is the trademark of a great actor, I believe…to put it simply: Johnny Depp knows how to ham-it-up when it’s appropriate for his character.
Omnesion!! Thanks for the comments!! I think I agree with Karen … Chocolat is his best for me!! He does the whole enigmatic and captivating stranger thing brilliantly!! The whole film is beautifully put together!! I don’t suppose you know whether they are going to do a Don Quixote film do you?
Your welcome, and I loved his small role in Chocolat also…he was a supporting actor in that movie, yet he somehow managed to be its star as well…quite a feat! I don’t know whether or not he’s going to do Don Quixote or not…I do remember reading on one (there are MANY) of the fan sites though, that he was having second thoughts about it…I can’t remember which site it was, but there is a link on my blog called Johnny Depp On Top, and it has links to MANY, MANY Johnny D sites…you should check it out…I believe I read it on one of those sites. Thanks for sharing your favorite JD movie!
I love this post, and reading everyone’s thoughts and comments. Thanks for commenting on my review to direct me this way.
I find it especially hard for me to respond to this post because some of my favourite Johnny Depp movies are not necessarily my favourite Johnny Depp roles. So, permit me to respond in two parts.
A couple of my favourite movies (I apologize, I could never pick one) are Chocolat, Donnie Brasco, Edward Scissorhands, Benny and Joon, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. These movies really develop the world in of the writer’s and director’s vision, and of course Johnny’s role is essential to this.
Some of my favourite Johnny Depp performances, however, are from his smaller roles and more obscure movies. His performance in The Libertine is really the stuff of legend, however I was not particularly fond of the movie itself. Some of the choices made by the art department and director for the look of the film did not sit well with me, but I don’t dispute it suited the story…it’s sad that those rather odd choices probably deterred a lot of people from seeing a great story and performance. I also love him in Before Night Falls. His role is relatively minor, but outstanding. He transitions between a prison guard and a prison inmate, who also happens to be a transvestite, creating an odd but interesting symmetry. Similarly, in another foreign film, Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup d’enfants. So soft and subtle. It was one of those moments where it doesn’t seem like the performer is even acting. And finally, though it’s already been said, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Brilliant! I think Depp found his kindred spirit in Hunter S. Thompson. Oh yes, and to add one more–Ed Wood. Another role I don’t think any other actor could have played. A lesser known Tim Burton-Johnny Depp project, and honestly one of the best!
Thanks for asking my opinion!
See? I haven’t seen EVERY Johnny D movie! I haven’t seen “Before Night Falls”, so thank you for bringing that one to my attention. This might be my favorite reply so far…very clear and comprehensive. Thank YOU for this reply!
Before Night Falls is a beautiful movie. You should deffinetly check it out.
I definately will now! Thanks again!
I actually found a list of Johnny Depp’s best roles, made by Cineplex… I don’t know if I agree with them, but its interesting to read…
http://my.cineplex.com/showbiz-news/2009/06/johnny-depps-top-10-performances/
And after words, using reader comments they made a readers list of Johnny Depp’s best roles as well…
http://my.cineplex.com/showbiz-news/2009/07/fan-favourite-johnny-depp-performances/
Awesome! Thank you for the links!
Yeah, it’s a little predictable, but I’m going with the Pirate movies as my favourite Johnny Depp movies. Though having said that, Sweeney Todd comes a very close second because a singing Johnny Depp is a sexy Johnny Depp!
I loved the first POTC movie ALOT…but it’s not my favorite…I guess I do tend to go for the less BIG BUDGET movies…all of them were good though…just to watch JD being JD…as far as sexy…welllll…I’m a guy (straight guy), soooo…I’ll say this…I wouldn’t mind looking like him given the effect he seems to have on all of the ladies!
Finding Neverland~his chemistry with Freddie Hightower is unmatched!
I have that one on DVD too…loved it! And now I know your real name iceprincess!
Although it’s kind of cliche I loved him in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the simple fact that his cynical and dark humor was just so spot on and it was so natural for him to play such a character. The other must be Before Night Falls, it’s fantastic.
Not my FAVORITE, but still a good one…and I can’t believe I haven’t seen “Before Night Falls”…second reply that’s mentioned that one!
I think Johnny was best in Nightmare on Elm St. I kid!
I’m a big fan of his earlier work, such as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Benny and Joon, Donnie Brasco and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. For his later roles, I’m a fan of his performance in The Libertine, which is nicely getting recognized on this post.
I’d give it a tie for what I think are his best film’s: Ed Wood and Dead Man. They were made within a year of each other but couldn’t be more unlike characters, reflecting his flexibility and depth as an actor, working with legendary directors on both films. Dead Man is also a personal favorite film of mine, shot beautifully in black and white. Also, i’ve written a review of his recent film, Public Enemies, enjoy! : http://amarfilmreview.wordpress.com/
If you’re curious for a very obscure, early film of his with Faye Dunaway, check out Arizona Dream.
LOL…NOES was his first movie! Glad you like “The Libertine” also…and I REALLY loved “Ed Wood” as well…andddd, I have seen “Arizona Dream”! He was in AD and Don Juan de Marco with Faye Dunaway! Thanks for the reply and the link!
I have written a review of Johnny Depp’s newest movie Public Enemies, check it out and please let me what you think
http://lifewithphilly.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/public-enemy-no-1/
I really enjoyed your review of “Public Enemies”! Check it out at the above link pps!
I have to be different: to date my favorite Depp movie is Sweeney Todd. The music, the craft, Helena Bonham-Carter, it’s just perfect. I also have to say that The Corpse Bride is a good movie and my favorite of his earlier works is Edward Scissorhands. Who hasn’t felt completely different from the rest of the world?
I’m with you on Helena Bonham-Carter definately…and don’t worry. I feel completely different from the rest of the world all the time!
Hi Omnesion,
You are right. Johnny Depp is awesome. I like the science-fiction and the fantasy genre and so I prefer The Pirates of the Caribbean! I’ve just started my blog (after a lot of self-analysis,) and the first caricature that I posted was of Depp. So, I ended up clicking the links about Depp and reached here:)
I’ll take your recommendation for Libertine:)
-Shafali
Thanks for the comment Shafali, and good luck with your blog. I definately recommend “The Libertine”!