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Much as I normally appreciate both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter’s work, I’m not sure either are perfectly cast in these roles. So that, in truth, makes me nervous. But I think Tim Burton is a great choice as director for this film, so I’m going to engage in a bit of trust there. I also think Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall are both great castings for Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford, respectively. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living American composer/lyricist.
No takers? Considering the various players involved in this film, and the different elements of storytelling, I’d imagine there would be others anticipating the impending release. I’ve been waiting for this film to come out for so long, I forgot when I first heard about it. Here’s a behind-the-scenes clip to see if it excites interest.
No takers? Considering the various players involved in this film, and the different elements of storytelling, I’d imagine there would be others anticipating the impending release. I’ve been waiting for this film to come out for so long, I forgot when I first heard about it. Here’s a behind-the-scenes clip to see if it excites interest.
I might see it, but Burton's recent work has been pretty disappointing, and I'm always a bit suspicious of musicals, particularly when they're adapted to the screen.
Alright, I’ve learned my lesson. Silence denotes disinterest. I know musicals attract only a very specific audience, I just figured I would throw it out there.
Mr.P., just wondering if you’ve seen Bonham Carter in Fight Club? I think that’s a character/movie that you might like.
Mad, I heard Sondheim interviewed and he specifically addressed your concern regarding stage-musical to screen adaptations. He said largely the movie is just an attempt at filming the stage version of the musical. He goes on to say that Burton has definitely reinterpreted the material specifically as a film. Whether that is so, I have no idea.
Alright, I’ve learned my lesson. Silence denotes disinterest. I know musicals attract only a very specific audience, I just figured I would throw it out there.
Mr.P., just wondering if you’ve seen Bonham Carter in Fight Club? I think that’s a character/movie that you might like.
Yes I did. She was fine in that. Good movie overall and I love the premise...I too make soap in my spare time and am riddled with debt! I guess I do not DISlike these people...just neutral.
What is this movie based on? Why is Sweeney Todd familiar to me? For some reason , I'm thinking gangland figure, but maybe I'm mixing him up with David Courtney.
Either way, if you put Johnny Depp and Tim Burton together and you've got a decent chance that I'll like the movie.
What is this movie based on? Why is Sweeney Todd familiar to me? For some reason , I'm thinking gangland figure, but maybe I'm mixing him up with David Courtney.
Either way, if you put Johnny Depp and Tim Burton together and you've got a decent chance that I'll like the movie.
I'm guessing that the movie is based on the Broadway show. I have never seen it but I believe it is about a barber who kills his clients and eats them....is that correct? That's what a friend of mine told me and in the movie Jersey Girl they did a song from Sweeney Todd and that was kind of the gist of the song.
So sorry for the delay, Niall—crunched, you know. Sweeney Todd is a musical by Stephen Sondheim. If you don’t know American musical theater (and gosh I don’t know who would skip out on it), Sondheim’s most popular work was probably one of his earliest. As a kid, he wrote the lyrics for West Side Story. But the majority, and most innovative, of his work is as composer/lyricist. He’s well known in the theater world, and not well known out of it.
Sweeney Todd is based on an urban legend about a barber who slits peoples’ throats. On a lower floor of the building that houses the barber shop is a pie shop. It’s the mid-19th century so there’s a bit of scrounging for meat. All of a sudden, the pies get better. By the time Sondheim picked up the story, Todd had found a mission, and his story had turned to revenge rather than mere violence. Sondheim added his own twist—it’s a dark comedy with witty lyrics and some sound musical composition.
Tim Burton has since picked it up. There’s been a lot of hay made that this isn’t just the Broadway-staged musical transferred to film. Rather, claims have been made, that Burton has reinterpreted the material specifically for film. We’ll see.
Here’s a short clip about the history of the story and show:
So I wasn't too far off the mark with what the story is about.
You weren't off the mark at all. Also, in looking back at your post, I forgot to mention that I didn't know Sweeney Todd was referenced in Jersey Girl. That's a film that I should probably rent. Both for the Sondheim nod and because I actually am a Jersey Girl--well raised in Jersey anyway.
I love the musical and so was very nervous about seeing this movie - the thought of Johnnie Depp singing? OK now I see no one will be singing. Depp should be excellent for this part. My daughter is obsessed with him - I'm sure she'll be seeing this first run...