Tim Burtons' masterpieces continue to be a much needed ray of darkness in an all too bright sky.
As the name suggest, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street explores the life of a barber living on Fleet Street in London. He is imprisoned on a false charge and returns from his internment to find his wife dead and his daughter in the clutches of the evil Judge Turpin. A sordid tale of vengeance follows.
Such a story naturally hinges on the acting ability of the protagonists. Unfortunately, much of the back story regarding Todd's (Johnny Depp) family is washed over, making his desire for bloody revenge hard to understand. Despite this problem, the acting prowess of Depp and Helena Bonham Carter is fully on display. Depp comes across as a morbid David Bowie from the Labyrinth, while Carter's portrayal of Mrs. Lovett can be likened to a demonic form of Mrs. Havisham.
As usual, Burton retains his specific sense of style with a deliciously evil flourish. The gloomy greys of London are the perfect canvas for Burton to quite literally rain blood down upon.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street conforms to the directors exacting standards. Coupled with an outstanding performance by Johnny Depp, this film successfully confirms Burtons' status as a contemporary genius.
-The English Student
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