Today's the day–Johnny Depp in THE LIBERTINE opens in North America!

At long last, many Deppheads across North America will finally have a chance to view Johnny Depp’s memorable performance as the 2nd Earl of Rochester in Laurence Dunmore’s debut film, THE LIBERTINE. The movie opens in 800 theaters across the U.S. and Canada today. Unfortunately, would-be viewers in smaller towns will still be Depprived unless they can travel to larger metropolitan areas; but we are grateful for any opportunity to see this challenging and memorable film on the big screen. Here is a sampling of critical commentary from the reviews posted on the Zone’s News & Views forum–thanks very much to myfave, Susanne, emma,KYwoman, cindy, and Bohemian:

Randy Myers: “[B]y THE LIBERTINE’S conclusion, we leave the theater without a doubt that we have just spent two hours watching one of our finest living actors shine.”

Jack Garner: “Despite its challenging central character, THE LIBERTINE offers a curiously entertaining look at a true original, as well as a glance at a fascinating age in English history, as a society goes bonkers after a time of repression. Depp’s portrayal is disturbing, yet darkly charismatic, even a bit charming. It’s among the actor’s best work; though, as he freely states, you’re not going to like him.”

James Verniere: “See Johnny Depp literally shag himself to death in THE LIBERTINE, a much-maligned film adaptation of the play by Stephen Jeffreys set in the swinging ’70s – the swinging 1670s, that is. [. . .] As wonderful as Depp has been in such roles as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Captain Jack Sparrow, he brings even more conviction, humanity and fire to the role of Rochester.[. . .] At a time when the earth seems overrun with sheep, the scandalous 2nd Earl of Rochester is a wolf worth knowing.”

Roger Ebert: “Libertines are not built for third acts. No self-respecting libertine lives that long. Johnny Depp finds sadness in the earl’s descent, and a desire to be loved even as he makes himself unlovable. What a brave actor Depp is, to take on a role like this. Still, at the screenplay stage, THE LIBERTINE might have seemed a safer bet than PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, a movie studio executives reportedly thought was unreleasable. In both cases, Depp accepts the character and all of its baggage, and works without a net. He is capable of subtle nuances, but the pirate and the earl are not, and Depp gamely follows them into wretched excess. You will not like the Second Earl of Rochester. But you will not be able to take your eyes from him.”

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