sophistry: ([ST] attend the tale)
Sophie ([personal profile] sophistry) wrote2008-01-20 10:31 pm

(no subject)

So - what with several hiccups eventually trashing the plan to cinema it up yesterday - I finally saw Sweeney Todd today. I like how I say 'finally' when it's not actually on general release here until the 25th. But GOD I have been waiting long enough.

Anyway. I do not have any reactions that could be considered spoilery (for a given definition of spoilery, anyway, considering this musical has been around for nearly thirty years), so no LJ-cuts shall you see here. I just want to say, basically:

*___*

Okay, blah blah, Helena Bonham Carter's voice is Dodgy-with-a-capital-D, pacing problems, THEY CUT 'THE BALLAD OF SWEENEY TODD' D: D:, everything that's already been mentioned by people on my flist, etc. And no, I've never seen a stage version, and yes, I will punch you in the face if you think that that makes my enjoyment of the film any less valid. If I had any problem with it (aside from the fact that HBC really annoys me, for no rational reason), it was that at times it didn't seem to know what it wanted to be, stylistically - Srs Brooding Gothicness vs. Wackily Surreal Stylized Adventures. Does that make sense? Probably not. What I mean is that... there were a lot of bits that were unashamedly, unabashedly, over-the-top theatrical, but also many that were, you know, not. And depending on the approach, either on its own would have worked wonderfully with the material, but not both in the same context. The flipping back and forth between the two was jarring enough that it kept yanking me out of the film.

THAT SAID.

I loved it. I loved it, and Johnny Depp has the best Oh my God, what is this and why is it touching me expressions on the planet. Entire cinema: *was cracking the fuck up at 'By the Sea'*

ETA:

[livejournal.com profile] unravels: There was some obvious discomfort at the opening when people started singing, but I think they got used to it.
[livejournal.com profile] unravels: and once there was sort of gratuitous blood flinging they were all "AAAAH" and there was a huge collective gasp when Johanna was in the chair.
[livejournal.com profile] copinggoggles: hee. Yeah, we had like the edge-of-seat, pin-drop silence
[livejournal.com profile] copinggoggles: Although I almost ruined it by laughing out loud when Todd was like, up close and bloodstained and CRAZY-EYED, "Forget my face."
[livejournal.com profile] unravels: Yeah... like that's going to happen.
[livejournal.com profile] copinggoggles: all I could think was
[livejournal.com profile] copinggoggles: THAT KID'S GONNA FUCKIN REMEMBER ME FOREVER
[livejournal.com profile] unravels: hahahahahaha
[livejournal.com profile] unravels: i didn't think of that... but I will NOW
[livejournal.com profile] copinggoggles: BUT I DID NOT SAY 'FUCKIN'.
[livejournal.com profile] unravels: THAT WAS A LIE

[identity profile] jezrana.livejournal.com 2008-01-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"By the Sea">>>>>>>EVERYTHING EVER. STRIPEY BATHING COSTUME, okay.

[identity profile] kessie.livejournal.com 2008-01-20 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
dhasjdhasdja I loved it! Although, ironically, I thought HBC was a little better than I had expected. I did think it was a little too short (but better that than long and dragging, I suppose), but there were some comic moments that I adored.

Everyone was dying during the 'By the Sea' sequence as well. Depp's expressions and demeanour were priceless.

[identity profile] kessie.livejournal.com 2008-01-20 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Yesssssssssss. It took me ages to realise it was Borat guy, too. *fails*

also, the end of epiphany when HBC said flatly, "that's all very well, but what about 'im?" *gestures at body in trunk* Everyone started howling because it was so unexpected. XD;
vivien: picture of me drunk and giggling (Default)

[personal profile] vivien 2008-01-21 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you got to see it!

I really didn't mind the dodginess of HBC's voice. I thought it fit the character well, actually, whether it was intentional or a happy accident.

I still can't get over how sad I felt for all the characters, no matter what horrific deeds they'd done.

[identity profile] unravels.livejournal.com 2008-01-21 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
I found that HBC's voice bothered me less on screen than it had on the recording because I could actually see her act - it made more sense than just hearing the weak, barely-there Mrs. Lovett. But it was still not really up to par. *sigh*

Sorry I am not around tonight like I thought... I have realized that I have to be awake and cordial in 4 hours now that I have finished all obligations before tomorrow. :( WHY are we not off?