Tim Burton's version of the horrific Broadway musical about vengeance and jealousy

Rating: 10/10 (17 April 2008)

Tim Burton is back! And along with his regular star Johnny Depp, they both concocted their version of the horrific Broadway musical about vengeance and jealousy. Why "jealousy"? It's because Turpin (Harry Potter's Alan Rickman) was jealous because of Benjamin loving his wife Lucy Barker. Of course Ms. Lovett (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein's Helena Bonham Carter) was secretly jealous too. But if I told you why, it would spoil the film. You know, I did not know that Johnny (nor Alan Rickman) could sing. I did see a musical starring Depp called "Cry-Baby" which was almost like "Grease," but it wasn't that good.
The film has some essence of Alexandre Dumas' book "The Count of Monte Cristo," and the fairy tale "Rapunzel". Only in "The Count", Edmond wasn't psychotic like Sweeney. Also unlike Edmond, Sweeney did not found a hidden treasure and became rich. In the story, Benjamin Barker had a good job, a lovely wife and an adorable baby girl Johanna. But the love Benjamin had for his wife inspires jealousy and lust in Judge Turpin, and has Barker deported to Australia on a trumped-up charge; of course I think it's kangaroo court and that's illegal. Then he raped Lucy...O.M.G! the man's a f**kin', raping sex fiend! Poor Lucy then poisoned herself in despair and Johanna became Turpin's ward. Then, many years later Barker, now calling himself Sweeney Todd, returns illegally to England with the help of a young sailor named Anthony. He visits the pie shop of Mrs. Lovett an old friend who recognizes him and tells him what happened to Lucy and Johanna. Then she takes him up to the room he used to rent above her shop, where she has hidden his razors under a floorboard. He's profoundly happy to have them back and decides to reopen his barbershop.
As for essence from the "Rapunzel" story, Johanna's like Rapunzel and Anthony's like the handsome prince. I thought how it's set up was so great. She sings her song about being locked up. Then a beggar woman gives Anthony her name after he ask her. His song's lyrics respond to what she sang, I thought it's perfectly balanced and very intelligent writing. And it's also written not to be taken literally but to be romantic and promise her his thoughts and heart are with her.
So after watching the film two times, I give and a 10/10; despite the gore of course. But I do love a good musical soundtrack.