The first thing that struck me about this film is its dirty look and shaky camera-work. The second thing was its vagueness. While obviously a biopic focused on the Earl, following the beats of his life to find its narrative, it just doesn't seem to lead anywhere, perhaps with the exception of the Earl's speech to parliament (bordering on cheesy 'redemption for the devil' territory - until Depp convinces us with the delivery of one line that his intention was completely self-indulgent). Even the romance with Elizabeth kinda meandered into nowhere. And yet, with the Earl being the character he is, a genius who is unable to find a place to be at peace in life or find a happy place in which to completely indulge his peculiar and lustful desires, one realises that this is probably the filmmaker's intention - the style of film and its constantly collapsing narrative mirrors the life and personality of the Earl himself. Period England has never looked so dirty, and (based on what I've learnt in English Lit classes anyway) it is great to see a realistic portrayal of the debauchery and excess, not to mention the brilliantly poetic foul language which prevailed at the time. Depp is once again superb, and does not overplay a larger than life character in the least, where many many great actors I'm sure would've done so. He holds his own against Malkovich in their scenes with little strain, and it is amusing to see some of his fellow 'Pirates' actors turn up in new guises. Perhaps a little frustrating for many in that there is arguably no redemption for this character you probably want to like...and maybe you will...this is the very question asked directly by the Earl himself, at the film's close, and a very very interesting one at that.
Review of The Libertine
