Review of The Libertine (2004) by Claire B — 14 Jul 2009

Certainly an unpleasant period drama - Shakespeare in Love this definitely ain't! From the opening prologue spoken by Depp's John Wilmot Earl of Rochester ("I do not want you to like me"), the film is almost a challenge to the audience.

Wilmot apparently had an almost implausibly incident-packed short life, the film here focuses on his relationship with a young actress, his long suffering decent wife, his banishment by King Charles and his death of all sorts of awful venereal diseases.

The film presents Restoration era England as a filthy, muddy, dirty place with binge drinking, public copulation and foul language the norm and Dunmore used candlelight to further create a muddy colour palette.

The handheld camera creates a rough energy not usually associated with period films. The films biggest problem is it's complete, almost defiant, lack of narrative structure. The narrative rests entirely on a character rather than plot and charismatic as he is, Depp does struggle - his cynical rock star swagger unable to fully capture the depth of his self-loathing and self-destructive impulses.