Review of The Libertine (2004) by Ian S — 08 Jan 2009

Curious that this gets such a lukewarm response from Flixsterites, it's a very good movie. We're told about Rochester's legendary philandering more than we're actually shown it, but that's fine, because this isn't a movie about pleasure; the focus is rather on the unromantic results of the Earl's various addictions.

Depp and Morton both give excellent performances, and there's a truly classic oratory scene near the end where the Earl -- half-rotted from syphilis and hobbling on crutches -- manages to actually accomplish something positive.