Review of Dead Man (1995) by Laurence T — 19 Aug 2008
One of the greatest casts in cinematic history (I dare you to name a better one) was assembled for this commercial flop. It's certainly one that takes a bit of deciphering and I'll admit it lost me a few times, but it's a grower and well deserves its small but audible group of praise-singers.
It's the story of a civilised but unintelligent man who unravels in order to survive in a society which, from the very first scene, is disturbingly willing to descend into arrant savagery. Weak on plot it may be, but the hallucinatory, oneiric visuals go fantastically well with Neil Young's twangy soundtrack.
Treats include Robert Mitchum's typically magnetic last performance, John Hurt's very funny cameo, and Lance Henriksson reprising his role from Near Dark. Johnny Depp gives a very understated but effective performance in perhaps his best film.
This review of Dead Man (1995) was written by Laurence T on 19 Aug 2008.
Dead Man has generally received positive reviews.
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