I never got what people liked about Johnny Depp, but I kind of liked the way he played this part. There was something very natural about his portrayal of a sort of detached rare book dealer. What a weird and intriguing concept. A bachelor in his 30s who is kind of cynical and sleazy, but who makes a living dealing with articles of high culture.
Frank Langella plays evil beautifully here.The director cast his young wife in the role of a mysterious stranger and she plays it with a truly eerie, all-knowing aloofness. The one thing I didn't get is why Depp's character never freaks out about this woman's special powers. How could he spend a whole movie seeking the key to evil and not notice the supernatural strangeness of his companion? He asks her who she is a few times, and then just accepts her as some weirdo who follows him.
I loved the European settings and as much as violence and satanic themes normally disturb me, I have to say that the death scenes and portrayal of evil in certain characters really stuck with me.
I see that many people on the net are attempting to explain the plot and conclusion. I think the best one I read had it right. The girl is the Devil and she's in love with Depp. So she guides him to her kingdom so to speak.
I would have preferred more character development, but that is my complaint about most films. How did this guy become who he is? He is ultimately seduced by the devil. How does one go from being a book dealer to wanting to summon Satan? A little more background please. We do see in the first scene that he is not ethical in his dealings.
This one requires two viewings.
Frank Langella plays evil beautifully here.The director cast his young wife in the role of a mysterious stranger and she plays it with a truly eerie, all-knowing aloofness. The one thing I didn't get is why Depp's character never freaks out about this woman's special powers. How could he spend a whole movie seeking the key to evil and not notice the supernatural strangeness of his companion? He asks her who she is a few times, and then just accepts her as some weirdo who follows him.
I loved the European settings and as much as violence and satanic themes normally disturb me, I have to say that the death scenes and portrayal of evil in certain characters really stuck with me.
I see that many people on the net are attempting to explain the plot and conclusion. I think the best one I read had it right. The girl is the Devil and she's in love with Depp. So she guides him to her kingdom so to speak.
I would have preferred more character development, but that is my complaint about most films. How did this guy become who he is? He is ultimately seduced by the devil. How does one go from being a book dealer to wanting to summon Satan? A little more background please. We do see in the first scene that he is not ethical in his dealings.
This one requires two viewings.