Directed by:
Tim BurtonScreenplay:
John LoganCinematography:
Dariusz WolskiCast:
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jayne Wisener, Ed Sanders (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Johnny Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again." Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli. (Paramount Pictures)
(more)Videos (3)
Reviews (15)
After a second viewing, I have to stick with three stars. Sweeney Todd simply lacks heart and its witty ending doesn’t salvage it in this sense. The violence is cold and hateful, lacking Burton’s narrative poetics (like in Sleepy Hollow, for example). Todd’s decision to become a serial killer is unjustified and doesn’t make sense. And I don’t think that the singing Johnny Depp was a good choice for the title role. The other actors, however, were superbly cast and the set designs and music are great.
()
Cruel and sadistic, which is why it will appeal to the era of today. It's just that sometimes I don't fit into the era of today, so I guess that's why I wasn't as impressed with Sweeney as I thought I’d be. And I was looking forward to it so much. I was expecting something different, which is fine, my ideas are always "romantic". I guess what disappointed me the most was that the story was so readable, his actions so predictable. Such a pity. But even my favorite actors and their performances didn't can’t make me give more stars... Sometimes love is cruel, but why prove it with a razor and forget it?
()
The tasty meat of Burton’s previous films ground to a pulp and flavored with visual spices, which unfortunately lacks the sharpness and surprise of Tim's best films. In the middle of the first a monotonous musical, in the middle of the second finally a captivating portrait of a monster, which, in a liter of blood, sees for a moment a reflection of what it used to be. Excellent Depp and Carter. But for Burton, the film has very little content under the sharpened form. Disappointment of the year, I have no doubt. [7/10]
()
Musicals aren't exactly my cup of tea but this was a different cup of coffee (or maybe, slice of pie? :)). Burton obviously filmed from the heart, and spares no blood or love. And what does a quality film need besides those ingredients? Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were all amazing. Maybe the five stars are a little too many, but I just haven't had my fill of Burton's visions yet.
()
So close to a fourth star. Unfortunately though, blood and human flesh is not my thing, so I just can't give it. It certainly has Burton's weirdness, spookiness, and strangeness. The musical aspect is more than excellent. Johnny gives an incredibly good performance, Helena Bonham Carter perhaps even better. But the second half was too much for me.
()
Ads