Movie Reviews: Sweeney Todd
When Sweeney Todd (the Demon Barber of Fleet Street) first came out I put it on my list of things to watch. As a Tim Burton film, I knew it would have a dark, gothic aspect. And with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter in the two leading roles I knew the acting wouldn’t let the story down.
I made the mistake of failing to turn off the TV when it was reviewed though and what I saw put me off going to see it. A bad review would have been one thing. I could have shrugged that off. After all, not all movies are to all reviewers’ tastes and I was quietly confident Sweeney Todd was a movie which would be to my taste. No, the reviewer loved the movie. In fact, he loved it so much he burst into song. And then he went on to do the same each week Sweeney Todd remained in the top 5. The sight and sound thoroughly put me off the idea of watching the movie. I set it aside and promptly forgot about it.
Luckily for me, a friend must not have seen the same reviewer. She watched the movie and reported back with such a glowing enthusiasm I couldn’t help but put Sweeney Todd back on my list of things to watch. And watch it I did, just last night.
The movie got off to a slow start. The singing grew tiresome. I sat there thinking, I was promised blood. I was promised death. I was promised cannibalism.
I got it.
Once the action picked up I understood the purpose of making it a musical. The songs injected a dark humour which would have been very difficult to achieve otherwise. The violence was gratuitous, which is the best kind of violence, and led to its inevitable end in a way which left my heart a little broken for poor Mr Todd.
Still, not for the weak of stomach. If you don’t believe me, try the official site.