Sweeney Todd (film)

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

I wish I had paid attention to this thread before I spent $18 on two tickets to this movie. My wife and I didn't know we were walking into a musical. The posters and banners we saw didn't elude to it being a musical. I feel like there was some false advertisement involved.

We walked out after the first 45 minutes. And people were walking out the whole time we were there. Musicals are painful to watch for us. I'm willing to accept the criticism that we lack sophistication and culture. Just please don't ever subject me to something so incredibly unpleasant as watching a pirate sing for 2 hours. I do recognize that this is probably considered a very high-quality musical, but personaly, I am not into them.

irishrosem · Doctorate Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 536 Gender:

You know, Chris, I thought the same thing when I saw the advertising posters. All the film clips I saw included singing, but I don’t think the visual advertisements mentioned anything about it being a musical. As for the story, he’s not a singing pirate, he’s a singing barber—the manically murderous type.

I don’t think enjoying or not enjoying musicals has anything necessarily to do with sophistication, or at least how I use the term. I know sophisticated people who don’t like musicals, and I know unsophisticated people (no not me) who like musicals very much. I don’t know why some people like musicals and some don’t. I know I can be very forgiving towards musicals in ways that I wouldn’t be towards other forms of entertainment. Perhaps, it has something to do with being exposed to the medium as a child. Though I say that despite the fact that the vast majority of my exposure to musicals has been, pleasurably, self-inflicted. I think for those that are already skeptical towards musicals, it’s probably best to acclimate them to stage musicals, where one more readily suspends disbelief, than to filmed musicals. I think those who don’t particularly like the form can grow to appreciate stage musicals. And here I’m reminded of Richard Gere in Pretty Woman (heh, who would ever think I’d make such a reference) when he talks about opera: You either like it or you don’t. If you don’t, you may grow to appreciate it, but it will never become part of your soul. Opera I appreciate, certain musical theater is part of my soul.

But going back to lack of sophistication or culture with regard to musicals, I would only name those who don’t ever give any musicals a chance as such. You sat through 45 minutes—nearly half the film—and decided that it wasn’t your cup of tea (as Eliza Doolittle would say—heh, that’s a musical reference). At least you gave it the chance.

Though, in Sondheim’s defense, he is a solid composer and an astounding lyricist, and this is some of his best lyrical work. Out of curiosity, did you make it to the song “Have a Little Priest,” about the different types of pies one could make from murdered humans? I ask because it’s usually a popular favorite from the show.

Oh right, one more thing, I think, for the most part, if two adults walk out of a film, you’ll likely be reimbursed with very little hassle from management. You could very well be honest and say you didn’t realize it was a musical. Or you could be safe and just say that people wouldn’t stop talking which, these days, is usually true.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:59 am Post subject:

I should have stopped at the ticket counter on the way out and asked for a refund, but my wife and I were too caught up in eavesdropping on this mother and daugther that also walked out and were mumbling similar negative things about the movie as they made their escape.

Theomanic · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

Hmm! Personally I quite enjoyed Sweeney Todd. I felt obligated to go, not only because I like Burton and Depp, but also because that is the name of the hairdressing place I frequent. I knew the name of my hairdressers was from a musical, so I did deduce that the movie was likely to be one as well. I can see how you would be very surprised when people started singing if you weren't expecting it, though.

I think it's a bit unfair to completely write off the film, however. It's received very good reviews, and I think it was a good translation of a musical to film. I'm not much into musicals, either, but I do love my dark humour. Also, I feel to be allowed to truly judge things, you need to finish them. Due to this I have agonized my way through some horrible books! I really think Sweeney started slow and pretty, but if you didn't stay, you didn't catch the full meat of it. (Was that a pun? Uh oh, I can't tell... but if it was, I didn't mean it!)

Being a musical, I found it was a little predictable. You know how musicals go, you can always guess certain events will happen. Much like the "We've seen your breasts and now you must die" horror movie rule. But beyond that, I found it pretty enjoyable.

I would agree Burton isn't quite as fun as he used to be. I found The Corpse Bride to be a big snooze. I find Burton to be more about visuals and sweet fairytale type stories rather than depth or plot twists. More "sit back and watch" films rather than "sit back and think" films.

irishrosem · Doctorate Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 536 Gender:

Theomanic · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

I didn't see the stage version. The reason I am certain they named their shop after the musical, and the reason I knew it was a musical, is because they had a large poster from the musical in their waiting area. Just to inform the uninformed (like me!). They've since replaced it with a poster for the movie, though, which is a shame.

Loricat · Graduate Student Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 446 Gender:

irishrosem · Doctorate Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 536 Gender:

Audrey · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

I'm a big fan of burton.

Is this movie worth while?


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