Joe Barber Reviews “Sweeny Todd”

by Joe Barber on Dec.28, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

The world of filmmaker Tim Burton is a dark and unusual one. From “Beetle Juice” to “Edward Scissorhands,” from “Batman Returns” to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Burton has taken viewers of all ages on wildly imaginative journeys that have been both captivating and disturbing. Now he has turned his attention towards the most audacious creation of musical theatre genius Stephen Sondheim. “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” isn’t a literal adaptation of Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s work of dark genius, but it has wicked pleasures of its own.

Johnny Depp returns for his fourth film with Burton, in a role that, save for his singing voice, he seems perfectly suited to play. Todd, a.k.a. Benjamin Barker, is a barber who, as the story begins, is returning to London after spending fifteen years at hard labor for a crime he did not commit.

A rapacious judge (Alan Rickman) and his weasley servant (Timothy Spall) framed Barker so that the judge could have his way with the barber’s beautiful young wife. when she disappears under mysterious circumstances, the judge swoops in and adopts the couple’s daughter raising her as his ward. Re-naming himself Sweeny Todd, Barker plots revenge on those who have wronged him.

He stumbles into a bizzare partnership with Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) who runs the tavern beneath his former shop. Todd devises a mad scheme that serves both their purposes. He will do away with selected clients while they’re in his barber chair then dispose of the bodies in Lovett’s basement, where she prepares the filling for her tavern’s meat pies. New customers and ingredients soon enliven both businesses as Todd moves closer to his day of vengence.

One of the hallmarks of Sondheim’s musicals has been the role of the songs in the unfolding of the plots. The lyrics and melodies help to shape the emotions and elements of the stories. They require strong vocals from their actor/singers. “Todd,” with its cynical and violent content, is in particular need of such vocals.

Sadly, this is the area where Depp and Bonham Carter are lacking. Both have light, airy voices that work in close ups, but seem weak in large scale scenes. Both actors do bring passion to their performances and when the film stresses visual storytelling over the score, they are both more than up to the task.

John Logan’s screenplay chops away several numbers and a scene or two from the stage version in an effort to bring the film in under two hours. The edits aren’t damaging, but those familiar with the musical will miss the removed elements. The supporting cast, which also includes a surprisingly effective Sacha Baron Cohen as a rival of Seeny’s, is strong as are the sets and costume design.

Thanks to Burton’s direction, this sprawling tale has become an intimate house of cynical humor and passionate revenge. While it isn’t Sondheim’s tale, it is engaging and compelling on its own terms. A word of warning this is a very violent and bloody film. Venture forth at your own risk.

MPAA RATNG:R for profanity and sometimes graphic violence.

jJOE’S RATING: THREE STARS.