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Sweeney Todd
Ladybug:
I just got back from the cinema, having watched this movie (yes, we get certain movies laaaate), and I just had to put down somewhere that I thought it was absolutely amazing, even though I don't really have much else to say. I didn't really know what to expect, except that I knew it would be morbid, because, honestly, I'm not familiar with the story from earlier - but I sat there grinning almost constantly.
Just fucking awesome.
ImRonBurgundy?:
I saw a rather brilliant production of this play at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, in which the cast was pared down to the ten main characters, and instead of a pit orchestra, each actor had an instrument (or in some cases, multiple instruments) upon which they played the music for each song. There were no set changes, and so working with these limitations, the production relied very heavily upon symbolism and creative staging, which brought the focus square upon not the set, or the production design, or any sort of grandiose spectacle, but squarely upon the words and the music, which, in a musical so rich with beautiful compositions and clever wordplay, is exactly where it belongs.
Later that night, while at a friend's house, I happened to catch a few minutes of Tim Burton's adaptation, and--let me preface this by saying that I am not the biggest fan of Mr. Burton's work anyway--it was terrible. After seeing such a spot-on production, to watch it dashed upon the rocks of big-budget Hollywood convention and Tim Burton's own hackneyed stylistic conventions (everything is grey and dirty! Everyone is pale and their hair is long and stringy for no discernable reason!) was extremely offputting. I didn't see much of the movie, but what I did see--such as Helena Bonham Carter making it extremely obvious that there's only one reason she got the female lead, and Johnny Depp more or less rehashing his Captain Jack Sparrow routine, as far as facial and vocal cues went--made me not want to watch the rest.
Although my sister now owns it on DVD, so I'll probably have to at some point during the summer.
Jimmy the Squid:
I quite liked the film actually. It was quite obviously a Burton film and a pretty Burton cast as well but all in all it was pretty enjoyable. I was a little disappointed with Depp's accent, it's obviously the only British accent he can pull off but again it was enjoyable. You have to keep in mind though that I've loved all of Burton's films even if they are mostly the same. It wasn't high art, it wasn't cinematographically amazing and sure the singing wasn't upto Broadway standards but what did you honestly expect from a Burton film?
KvP:
--- Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 05 Apr 2008, 06:47 ---I saw a rather brilliant production of this play at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, in which the cast was pared down to the ten main characters, and instead of a pit orchestra, each actor had an instrument (or in some cases, multiple instruments) upon which they played the music for each song. There were no set changes, and so working with these limitations, the production relied very heavily upon symbolism and creative staging, which brought the focus square upon not the set, or the production design, or any sort of grandiose spectacle, but squarely upon the words and the music, which, in a musical so rich with beautiful compositions and clever wordplay, is exactly where it belongs.
--- End quote ---
I haven't seen Sweeney Todd onstage, but this was the interpretation that was put on during the Tonys telecast I saw back when the play was revived (I'm not gay I swear) and it was pretty impressive. Sort of highlighted how odd Johnny Depp's casting was (usually Todd is a hefty bass-baritone) but then like you say, with Burton you're either grotesquely thin or grotesquely fat, and it doesn't do to have a fat hero. Most theater geeks I know hated Depp in the role. He really does hang on those Ns, doesn't he?
Aminal:
I saw it last night, and I'm really glad I didn't read this thread before I did. I'm very impressionable.
First off: To the people who think Johnny Depp just reprised his Jack Sparrow accent and body language... I don't know how else to say it besides "No he didn't?" Maybe you haven't seen Pirates recently. His Todd voice had less growl, less swing to it, as did his body language. He kept his shoulders taut, but not hunched, and his movements were just different. They were cutting. I think he did a good job, if you're saying that his British accents weren't different enough for your liking that's fine. I mean, they're both British and that's good enough for me. (B is for British, that's good enough for meeeee...)
I hate Sondheim, I guess. I didn't like Into the Woods, and I didn't really like this music either. It wasn't bad, but it was too "I'm going to cram as many words as I can into a phrase because writing dialogue is somehow cheating."
I like the story. I mean, I saw the big Surprise coming from the first time "Mad Hettie"* approached Anthony outside the Judge's house (I'm trying not to spoil it for people who haven't seen it yet) but I still enjoyed the rest of the story. I do prefer a happy ending, but again, isn't the ending we got a classic Sondheim one? Man, I do not feel like I am expressing much of this properly. Please bear with me, I'm just hesitant commenting on musical things in general.
I kept forgetting to dislike Alan Rickman! :-D God help me, he could probably dropkick a baby and I'd still like him. As long as it wasn't my baby. I just love his voice. I liked everyone! I even had sympathy for Mrs. Lovett, yet I still was glad to see her go. I thought all the actors did well, and Johanna and Anthony made the best they could with what they were given. I also don't blame Johanna for her shitty singing voice. Did you see her nose? Does she even have nostrils? Bitch can't breathe.
Man I sure did spend an hour reading the true story. Thanks a lot OP.
*Didn't she remind you of Mad Hettie from Sandman?
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