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DWolfman
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 05:40 pm |
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Would love to hear your thoughts on the Burton-Depp film as opposed to the stageplay.
I was intrigued, enchanted, and awestuck by the George Hearn-Angela Lansbury portrayal on video and have had the opportunity to see two productions by local companies which I thought were excellent.
I also admire Johnny Depp's work overall, although I take Tim Burton with a grain of salt. They have put together quite a movie, holding most of the play's framework in place (expanding the role of Judge Turpin, which is probably a good thing, especially with Alan Rickman in the role) and created an impressive package of fog, darkness (both physical and mental), and costume (for the most part, I'm still not sure about sleek leather coats) to wrap it in.
However, I feel they missed quite a bit of the humor from the play in their moody broodiness and I personally missed the choral interplay and ached to hear the "ballad of Sweeney" even if they had only put it in the closing credits.
Another thing that bothered me greatly was the extravagant blood-spewing, which seemed to disappear at a moment's notice whenever they needed it to. That, added to actually seeing the corpses plop on the stonework, seemed less like retribution (the old cowboy adage "they just needed killing" comes to mind) and more like slasher insanity.
There are more things I question, and I'm still weighing the two versions (and I've said too much already) so I'll await your input.
-DW-
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Edd
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| Joined: | Sat Jun 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | Denver, Colorado USA |
| Posts: | 872 |
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 06:19 pm |
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DW,
Thanks for this opportunity.
I saw the original production in NY when I was living in Brooklyn. I loved it, of course--the cast and certainly Sondheim. I remember, at the time, thinking the set was "clunky." Scaffolding was big on the NY stage back then.
I cannot compare the Burton/Depp film to the stageplay. For me, they are two very different animals. I love Burton's work. In fact, just last night I watched Edward Scissorhands on one of the premium stations. I had forgotten what a brilliant film that was.
I accept the film as an entity onto itself. To compare film to stage I feel would diminish both. I loved the stageplay and I loved the film. Sondheim said it was the best film ever made of his work. After watching A Little Night Music it's a no-brainer. Forum and half of West Side Story are his as well. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can love two separate entities without comparing one to the other. I believe Burton achieved what few filmmakers have ever done when bringing a stageplay to the screen. He made it completely his own.
As for the blood. I found it a bit kabuki and appreciated it as such. It reminded me of those blood-red scarves flowing from out the wound.
Of course, most of my work is very dark so I have a natural affinity to Burton.
I adored the stageplay. I adored the film. I'm thrilled to have experienced both.
~Edd
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DWolfman
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 11:39 pm |
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Edd wrote:
I cannot compare the Burton/Depp film to the stageplay. For me, they are two very different animals.
I adored the stageplay. I adored the film. I'm thrilled to have experienced both.
That seems to be the best way to view them. I did enjoy the film very much and feel that Burton handled the story well.
I've not seen the recent stage revival of "Sweeney" although I've heard a CD of the music, if anyone wants to bring that to the discussion.
PS Thanks for mentioning "Scissorhands." I also agree that is exquisite.
-DW-
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