Astounding Wasted Potential

Rating: 2/10 (16 September 2008)

I'm not a fan of most Broadway, which I suppose means that this will be discredited in the eyes of some; I especially find Sondheim's works to be often lacking in terms of composition, but the unique stage chemistry in the cast featuring Angela Lansbury -- shared with me years ago -- appealed for its undeniable charm. The story I found a bit too grotesque, but ultimately it was portrayed decently. However, when I heard of this film adaptation, I was less than enthused.
I will agree that Depp possesses inordinate charisma (and the camera seems intent on featuring either his handsome face or his shapely posterior), but it is mostly wasted here when he is given essentially one thing to do: stare into the distance wearing a sour expression. Helena Bonham Carter does perhaps the best of the cast as Mrs. Lovett; I find it difficult to dislike her in anything, due to her earnest approach and organic talent. These were both well cast but not particularly well-used, and both go to waste for most of the film.
Sacha Cohen was actually surprisingly good, and it's more the pity he was in the film so briefly. However, most of the rest of the cast phone in their performances or are so horrifyingly bad that they make the cartoonish killings seem cheery by comparison. Jamie Bower has an voice that speaks to the ear like nails on a chalkboard, and although Depp's is not that fantastic, he has the charisma to pull it off; Bower does not. The rest of the cast is forgettable, Alan Rickman as usual acting as Alan Rickman pretending to be someone else.
The music is hideous, although the lyrics occasionally shine. 'A Little Priest' is the only moment of the film that even approached amusement with its hilarious statements on society, with most of the other songs incorporating not only the same motifs, but parts taken from other numbers. There is far too much mishmash, so much so that it is reminiscent of the low-budget compilations hawked on late television.
The direction is regrettable. It's incredibly uneven and, at times, fairly uncomfortable too. Although it's clear that Burton wished for Depp to play Sweeney as a charismatic, sensually dangerous man, I question sexually-charged scenes between Depp and Rickman. Further, I noticed that it seemed everyone interacting with Todd seemed either to regard him as if they would like to bed him or be bedded by him; I'm not entirely sure about that motivation for virtually the entire cast.
The visuals are impacting, but they don't always make sense. The wardrobe department presents ludicrous costume after ludicrous costume, too many hideous leather monstrosities and one or two noteworthy and beautiful outfits. And for all of the reasons why her pie shop was failing, did it ever occur to her that people might be put off by a shopkeeper with the appearance of a wraith? Apparently not. It would be one thing if everyone had the same pallor and fashion sense, but they do not.
The story manages to plod along, things only happen in bursts and then grind to a halt, and very little makes any sense. The subplot between Anthony and Johanna is particularly painful, as it is not only poorly-acted but also receives no resolution whatsoever, despite it having hogged inordinate amounts of screen time already. The parallels between Anthony and Turpin, however, cannot be denied; a man who sees a girl and fancies himself in love with her after glimpsing her from afar? The assumption that we'll just go along with the two being 'in love' is too much to ask, and it would be challenging even for particularly good actors to pull off.
The most egregious fault of the film is that it overstays its welcome and does such a poor job of infusing a potentially riveting and oddly sympathetic tale with any energy or charm whatsoever. Depp's Todd is initially very identifiable and even desirable, but his single-note portrayal quickly wears thin. By the end, one cares little for what happens to him. In fact, the only character that moved me even slightly was Carter's Lovett, driven by terribly misguided love and sweet dreams but far beyond redemption.
For all those who complain about the violence, it's so completely ridiculous that it doesn't even bear taking seriously. The dummies tossed down the chute are clearly dummies, as much as I felt for watching. But cheap shots aside, the violence is extremely cartoony and not nearly as grotesque as some have claimed. In some scenes it's laughably ridiculous, and not a nervous laugh but one of comical disbelief.
The sound is where a musical should shine, but the sound was exactly where Sweeney Todd failed the hardest. When they're not singing, they're whispering and inaudible. When they are singing, they're incomprehensible. The accompaniment is uneven, but it generally drowns them out, so much so that one requires subtitles even with perfect hearing. It is also noteworthy that Depp seems to go back and forth between Todd's intended accent and that of Jack Sparrow, which is distracting to say the least.
Overall this film was poorly-acted, poorly-directed, and had very few shining moments. The music was never good, but the Lansbury cast at least transcended it with their stage charisma. However, none of the cast here, aside from Carter's earnest presentation in her downplayed role, were able to do much with their parts. It's not surprising, since at heart it isn't very good. Yet it disappoints since, in the hands of a better director and a few different actors, it might have been something very special.
As it was, it was only dismal and disheartening, depressing and misanthropic, with the faintest hint of black comedy occasionally at the edges. Although I'm not particularly a fan of the stage production, it's head and shoulders above this film. It can't help but be.