Review of The Ninth Gate (1999) by Oliver K — 05 Oct 2012

Flawed but sometimes fascinating thriller, helped by smooth direction by Polanski and unusual lead performance from Depp keeps it from being a total waste of time. Even if the story doesn't quite pay off at the end.

It starts great, when Deep is hired by Langella to investigate, a rare copy that Langella has called "The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows". But there is two other books as well. Langella wants to know, which rare book is truly genuine.

He has to travel to Europe to look at the other two books. When Deep starts investigating mysterious people starts to show up in his cast, including beautiful, if odd woman (Emmanuelle Seigner). Who starts following Deep and helping him for no reason at first.

Deep finds himself in much deeper trouble than he realizes, because of this book. More of a black comedy than an acutal occult thriller, even though the picture ended strangely and questionable. But after watching this, a couple of times, you slowly start to understand this picture.

A disappointment to some were expecting the effective horror of "Rosemary's Baby", which that movie had its hints of black comedy as well. "The Ninth Gate" is best watched with an open mind.

Depp's character might be unlikeable for some taste. Since he is an alcoholic, a liar, a very thick-headed person and something of a chicken as well but amusing role for him.