Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The inimitable Tim Burton is good at any expression. However, I enjoy him as a “puppet-maker” especially. As it seemed to me, Mr. Burton turned “Sweeney Todd” into a certain theatrical performance from Fleet Street, and it cannot but gratify.
Sweeney Todd ~ Barber and his Wife (No Place Like London)
Perhaps, in his Golden Globe Award movie, Burton began slightly resembling a B movie, though in a very special way. He is not banal, trivial or freaky - even in ketchup-like blood there is a peculiar beauty. Well, this is the first time in my life with a smile I heard about human meat pies. And what about the scene in a striped tricot under the tree? So? Well, indeed, Adam and Eve succeeded! Really, a caricature and phantasmagorical production does not look inadequate or foolish.
In “Sweeney Todd” Tim Burton tested a little more than usual: more tears, more songs, more cruelty, more concentration and more irony. In my opinion, Burton, Carter and Depp have never allowed themselves such a straightforward causticity towards the outworld. «We’ve all deserved death!’ What does it mean?! Sure, the phrase has a gross irony at our universe and our vain life we so cherish and care. However, as well as in other Tim Burton’s films, there is a subtle and pearly wisdom that is very evident, but, yet, it is invisible with a common view. In order to distort the truth and at the same time to serve it up so frankly and honestly, a tremendous skill is required that is peculiar only to the great and “awesome” Burton.
Eventually, “Sweeney Todd” finished a “pie fitting” out of pulverized viewers that had been begun in the previous works of this world genius of Tim Burton. It turned out a full human meat pie, which would be thoroughly baked up and packed (but Tim would do it all after releasing «Frankenweenie» and «Alice in Wonderland»). I am certain, whatever happens in the future after the consolidated creative product of Burton, Carter and Depp, no one will remain indifferent. Everyone was convinced again of the masterly force of this alliance and its head - the man with a funny hairstyle, creatively working in the company of his best friend and darling wife. Their each other’s understanding finds its definitive expression on the screen. The actions, movements, looks and intonations fully agree with the light, camera, environment, performance, music and sound recording. Something is achieved only when the teacher understands his student, and the director - his actor. In this case something amazing was achieved. After all, “Sweeney Todd” could be interpreted in a totally different way - as a drama, thriller or something trite and worn out. But no way! Burton would not have been a master of a “funny” horror if he had not told Benjamin Barker’s story in his way, namely, making the viewer сhuckle while in front of him a liter of orange blood is spewed forth. But the most suspicious and unnatural in such reaction is that there is nothing terrible in it. This is Burton. Tim Burton. And the viewer’s reaction from its works can be the most unexpected.
«Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is a completely director’s film. A unique and unconvantional director’s nature can be seen much bolder than anything else despite an unequalled acting of ephemeral Johnny Depp, beautiful Helena Bonham Carter, and venerable Alan Rickman. Each actor is worthy of the same admired response and even more, in which their acting, musical and creative talents would be highly extolled. But I feel that Benjamin Barker’s story 2008 is a director’s benefit performance. Burton is great and magnificent in it! It is his, completely his film, in which he has tested a little bit more.