In an article called “The Artistic Mayhem of Depp & Burton,” USA TODAY’s Susan Wloszczyna focuses as much on the friendship between Johnny and Tim as she does on the upcoming release of SWEENEY TODD. “Their collaboration on SWEENEY TODD mirrors their past efforts–and reflects their deep bond,” Wloszczyna writes in the December 14th issue. “Like a mad scientist and his monstrously talented creation, Burton, 49, and Depp, 44, have a kind of psychic bond that results in sometimes-bizarre notions that still manage to connect with the mainstream public.”

One such notion is Tim’s choice to film the Sondheim musical in the style of silent films. “We took cues from silent movies,” Burton says. “When Johnny walks into that barbershop, you just see the pain in his eyes. I find he doesn’t have to say anything. It’s an acting style you don’t really see anymore.”

As for their 17-year friendship and six film collaborations, Burton explains, rather vaguely, “We’ve been lucky to usually be on the same wavelength and like similar kinds of things.” Helena Bonham Carter tells Wloszczyna that the men “are very like each other. Chosen brothers elected by each other. They have the same sense of humor and share a deep respect. [. . .] They are both introverts, but very flamboyant when it comes to their work. That is their release. They are rebels, anti-authoritarian. They are very age 7 in their sense of humor.”

And will SWEENEY TODD be too dark and troubling to be a successful holiday movie? Not at all, says Tim Burton: “You leave the theater thinking your life isn’t so awful, so it’s a time of hope. You know, ‘My family isn’t so rotten after all. That turkey wasn’t so bad.’ ” Adds Wloszczyna, “Besides, we know someone who could carve that bird to perfection.”

Many thanks to Theresa for sharing the USA TODAY article–you can read it in full on the Zone’s News & Views forum. The lovely photos of Johnny and Tim are by Todd Plitt: to see a larger view of the picture at left, click here: http://tinyurl.com/28mas7 and to see a different photo, click here: http://tinyurl.com/23xdde –Part-Time Poet