This film is the story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, who was a top playwright at the time of Charles II, whose cynical view of the world lead to a life of debauchery and an early death.
As played by Johnny Depp, he introduces the film by stating bluntly that you will not like him nor doe he desire that you like him. Depp is again stupendous in the difficult role, which doesn’t sugar coat the character, but allows us to see the world from his point of view and understand a bit of his passion, which was what attracted people to him.
Charles II (John Malkovich, DANGEROUS LIASIONS) has banished Wilmot for bringing up the king’s mistress in front of his in-laws. However, Charles calls back Wilmot when he needs him to write a play in his honor. Everyone knows that Wilmot is talented, however he cannot bite his tongue or play along with the game. His brutal honesty and biting barbs against hypocrisy do not improve his standing.
His wife Elizabeth Malet (Rosamund Pike, PRIDE & PREJUDICE) talks about how he longs for her when he is away, but gives her only snide disregard when he is near. We believe that Malet loves Wilmot despite himself, however we never get to know why. I would have liked to see more intimate moments between the two. But the film is more interested in Wilmot’s love affair with the stage and in particular the actress Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton, THE MINORITY REPORT).
Wilmot first sees Barry in a small role where she is booed off the stage. Yet, he sees the seeds of truthful acting in her and convinces her that he can help her hone her talents. She is reluctant at first, believing that his motives are not honest. But in pitch perfect form, Depp is able to show us, and, as Wilmot, explain to Barry why he is driven to help her as well as the stage in general.
As the story progresses, Wilmot will break hearts, abuse alcohol and fall pray to the degenerating effects of syphilis. We watch with a bit of pity for wasting his talent. We feel said when we know that he’s just looking for truth and a reason to live, but can’t find it anywhere.
Director Laurence Dunmore (debut film) and his cinematographer Alexander Melman use a grainy film stock that fits perfectly with the grim subject matter. As a new filmmaker Dunmore has accomplished an impressive task of mounting a historical piece as this and selling its time period and difficult subject matter very well. It could have been very easy to lose all sympathy for Wilmot, but Dunmore brings life to Stephen Jeffreys’ script without getting in its way with overused style. The film’s approach is conventional, allowing the actors to really make the film. The only complaint I’d have with Dunmore’s work is an ill-advised 360-degree shot when Wilmot first returns to the theater. It’s very disjointing.
THE LIBERTINE is a somber look at a tormented artist who tried to find truth on the stage, which he was unable to find in real life. Depp’s performance is first rate and should have earned him his third Oscar nomination in a row.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
