planktonrules Review of Don Juan DeMarco

Don Juan DeMarco (1994)

Despite a rather dopey plot, it's enjoyable because of a couple nice performances.

[6/10 · 8 February 2012]

If you've ever seen the Joanne Woodward and George C. Scott film "They Might Be Giants", then you'll no doubt recognize this plot in "Don Juan DeMarco". The film begins with Johnny Depp making a sexual conquest in modern day America---yet he THINKS he's the legendary lover Don Juan. Later, when this lover suddenly is found contemplating suicide, an aging psychiatrist (Marlon Brando) is called in to help. Not surprisingly, Don Juan DeMarco is committed to the institution where Brando works and Brando fights hard to get assigned him as a patient--even though he's due to retire very soon. The Doctor tries hard as he works with his new patient NOT to medicate him. After all, the Doc LIKES hearing all of his patient's weird stories of love, sex and adventure. And, through the course of the film, DeMarco starts rubbing off on his doctor--to the delight of the man's wife! Johnny Depp is very nice playing a suave Latin lover and Brando is really good because he seems nice and relaxed. My only big complaint is not them but the bafflingly stupid ending. Really. Up until then, I could suspend disbelief and enjoy the film, but the ending really left me shocked at its silliness. Still, worth a look.