The Ruination Of Johnny Depp
So I was looking at this picture of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter from the latest Tim Burton weird-fest Alice In Wonderland when it suddenly struck me: Burton has ruined this excellent actor.
Of course, Depp has always specialized in strange characters. His first films – Edward Scissorhands, Benny and Joon, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and Ed Wood- definitely contained some bizarre characterizations from him. But what made these performances so special was the humanity and depth that Depp instilled in each one; they were fun characters, but they also had a recognizable center full of heart and warmth.
As Depp moved into the second phase of his career, he branched out into difficult roles like the ones in Donnie Brasco, Blow, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, andFinding Neverland. These were not cartoons or caricatures; they were adult roles that tackled complex subjects. At this point, it seemed, Depp was transcending his teeny-boppper beginnings and growing into a respectable and powerful actor.
Unfortunately, Depp has continued his creative alliance with Burton, whose films have become increasingly removed from reality. In turn, this seems to have affected Depp’s performances, both in and out of Burton’s universe. In the last five years, Depp has made the following films: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the three Pirates of the Caribbean films, Public Enemies, and Alice in Wonderland. In only one – Public Enemies- could anyone argue that Depp played a recognizable human character that wasn’t a complete cartoon. The rest of those performances are shallow, one-note performances lacking in the depth that made some of his earlier craziness so enduring. Even his Jack Sparrow characterization, much vaunted by a stunned public at the time, is lunacy without any real point.
From everything I’ve seen thus far in the promotional materials for Alice In Wonderland, it’s clear that Depp is returning yet again to the annoying, pointlessly-eccentric histrionics that have marred recent performances like his widely-hated Willy Wonka. The stupid makeup, the wigs, the lisp, the precious mannerisms … they all indicate another wasted effort from this once-promising actor. His decline has been like watching someone go through Alzheimer’s; they erode until they are no longer recognizable.
I sincerely hope that this latest teaming with Burton will be the last one for a while. Depp needs to go back to the basics of creating a human character with whom an audience can identify and relate. Costumes and mannerisms are nice supports, but only in service to a character. They shouldn’t bethe character. Depp’s early career promised a wealth of dramatic potential, but that promise has been wasted playing in Burton’s unrealistic sandbox. It’s like dealing with a family member who is addicted to drugs; you know what’s best for them, and you only hope they can pull themselves away from the addiction wasting their best years.
Johnny, Tim Burton is wasting your best years. Let’s see what you can really accomplish before it’s too late.
32 Comments
So, basically you’re saying that if something isn’t realistic, it isn’t worth a damn. Hmm, most real artists would laugh at the very thought. I shudder to think what would have happened if Picasso had thought like that. Depp doesn’t just recycle the same crap we see over and over again. He creates new work. There are enough people out there playing the same old stuff we’ve seen a thousand times. Depp can create like the artist he is. He’s brilliant, and I for one can’t wait to see where his imagination goes next.
@ robin – No, I’m not saying that. As I said in the article, Depp’s performances have almost all been “eccentric.” However, in recent times his performances have tended to be superficial caricatures, rather than have the kind of depth shown in EDWARD SCISSORHANDS or even ED WOOD.
He’s been playing cartoons for too long now. It’s time to get back to playing full-blooded characters.
i agree with robin.
I understand what ray is saying. I love Depp, but until you said that he’s just playing cartoons I havent really thought about it.
Edward Scissorhands was a character people could relate with. He was the outsider in a school. The new guy. The misfit.
In Gilbert Grape he was a kid trapped between taking care of his family and living for himself.
Jack Sparrow…well he’s a pirate. He lies and he does anything thats best for his interests. He has no real heart. Nothing except what was already on the surface.
Willy Wonka was the same thing. He seemed rather ruthless, than the good guy giving his company to the poor kid. I felt like he was more of an antagonist in that movie, it was the first one where I really hated his character
I find it amusing that you have not viewed Alice in Wonderland, yet you are already making proclamations about the depth of Johnny Depp’s acting. Perhaps the fault does not lie in the costuming and the make-up, but your own inability to see past those things. Don’t blame Depp or Tim Burton for your own inability to appreciate what they create together.
I also find it entertaining that you do not include Sweeney Todd on your list of films Depp has made in the past five years, seeing as it was released in 2007. This not only shows your ignorance on the topic, but also the fact that you overlooked one of the most impressive performances of Depp’s career.
I also love the fact that you can even fathom telling Johnny Depp that his “best years” are being wasted by Tim Burton, because I am certain that if you asked either of them, they would state quite the opposite. I have a feeling that Johnny Depp is probably enjoying his life as much as ever currently and that can only be aided by his strong friendship with Tim Burton and his partner, Helena Bonham Carter.
You’re picking and choosing to fit your assessment. You left out Sweeney Todd, which Depp was terrific in, and Burton directed with skill. Also, going back to 2004, Depp was in the Libertine, which while it wasn’t a great movie, Depp did a wonderful job with his character. He’s currently working on The Rum Diary, from the book by Hunter Thompson. I eagerly await its release. If there’s depth to be found in the characters Depp is given, he’ll find it.
I agree that Burton has made some pretty terrible films these last years (Sweeney Todd excluded) and he definitely seems to be in some kind of rut. I’m not looking forward to Alice In Wonderland. It looks like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory all over again. It’ll be bright and shiny and full of eye candy, but the characters and humor will be aimed at the kindergarten crowd. Depp has said many times that he’ll follow Burton into anything. I give him credit for standing by his friends. But as an actor, he can only do so much with the material he is given.
Johnny Depp hasn’t been ruined. Don’t blame him for Burton’s shortcomings.
As for the Pirates series, it’s based on a theme park ride. What in the hell do you expect?
Your ire is misdirected and I’m sure Depp will prove you wrong ten-fold in the years to come.
Ummm, Geez… Forming an opinion on a film you have not seen yet.. Sounds kind of eccentric, and very Hollywood of you.. Depp is amazing and I can’t wait to see future fazes. At least it is unexpected and unlike ANY other working actor. He should be applauded for being so brave. Your just another hack with weak opinions.
I don’t agree with you, I mean, I wasn’t crazy about Willie Wonka but maybe, perhaps we weren’t supposed to sympathize or even like him to start with, so in this case he did a great job. Jack Sparrow to me is more of a comedian he’s not meant to be taken seriously or feel deep, this character is light and is not Johnny Depp at all, now, that is good acting for me, detaching yourself completely from the character, that’s what you naively call not having a heart. You say the characters have been shallow and cartoonish in the last years but two of these characterizations have been nominated to academy awards, so maybe is you who’s missing the whole point. Johnny and Tim are innovators and highly creative artists that don’t go by methods and same old boring dramatization. Open your eyes and don’t be so narrow minded, Johnny don’t have to inhabit all his characters, some may need to be themselves, don’t you think? Btw…. last year Johnny filmed “The rum Diary” and will film “The Tourist” next month which are not Tim Burton films so chill out and let the guy have some fun.
I couldn’t agree more with this article.
Depp’s performances are becoming more and more one-noted.
I agree with Geena. to be a character and still be yourself is not having a heart, if you turn into the character completely then you are into what you are acting!
I think Depp is past his best and I think he’s just doing films for the money.
The last few Burton films were terrible really, theres no getting round it, his last good film was “Big Fish” maybe Depp should have starred in that instead. Those Pirate films are crap! I really hope that 4th film does not happen.
I’ve been a fan of both Depp and Burton right from the begining and its a bit sad to see both of them doing what I would call pretty self indulgent nonsense, I think they need to take a fairly long break from each other and try other stuff.
I used to love Burton’s mind and what he came up with but now I think he’s just working on cruise control and coming up very little original material.(I’d love to see him do something with Micheal Keaton again.)
One of the main reason i’ve always watched Depps work is because of his choices, he always seem to be on the outside taking risks on strange films and making them into something worthwhile momorable and different from the usual Hollywood shite.
he really needs to get back on track before it’s too late and his film career goes down the shitter.( Unless he just happy with all the money he got from doing those pirate films.)
I think JOHNNY DEPP is one of the few good old-fashioned STARS of cinema today and he always makes any movie watchable through sheer sparkle and charisma. Personally, I don’t think he’s that great an actor – in this CONTEXT – where his performances actually move me emotionally.
However, DEPP is a great performer, mimic and able to inhabit larger-than-life characters with ease. I loved characters such as ED WOOD, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, DONNIE BRASCO, HUNTER S. THOMPSON, ICHABOD CRANE, GEORGE JUNG and indeed JACK SPARROW.
I too wish he would steer clear of Tim Burton’s recent garish, over-the-top output – including WILLY WONKA and SWEENEY TODD – which while technically proficient were non-events as stories and entertainment.
Burton’s films of late appear to have disregarded the importance of a decent screenplay in favour of flamboyant, big-budget productions which throw as much colourful shit at the wall in the hope that enough will stick! AND people will buy it as entertainment and lord forbid: ART!
PS. Tim Burton should never have been allowed to make another movie after what he did to PLANET OF THE APES (2001)!!
Paul L.: Burton’s films of late appear to have disregarded the importance of a decent screenplay in favour of flamboyant, big-budget productions which throw as much colourful shit at the wall in the hope that enough will stick! AND people will buy it as entertainment and lord forbid: ART!
You just summed up my feelings about Tim Burton right there. He used to be a great director and film maker. Once he realized that all he had to do was make something dark or wacky for the hot topic generation he got lazy. Then again, who can blame him? Would you rather bust your ass at your job for less pay, or would you like to just sit back and take it easy and rake in the money? He does what he’s good at, and honestly what it seems like most people expect from him. You know what you get with a Burton movie these days. Its sad too, because as I was growing up I loved his movies. The older I get, the worse he gets and honestly the worse most of even his older films get. I can’t even watch most of them anymore because they have been ruined by all these stupid 13 year olds walking around with Nightmare Before Christmas stuff on and they really don’t know anything about the movie other than “Jack is awesome.”
Now get off my lawn!
Guys, I never said I had formed an opinion about the entire Depp performance in ALICE … I simply said that everything I’ve seen THUS FAR indicates that it goes in the direction of WONKA, etc. Read before you respond.
I didn’t mention SWEENEY TODD simply because I was not attempting to review every single Depp performance. If you look up my review, you will see that I didn’t like the film at all. I thought Depp’s Todd character was a joke, a cartoonish caricature of revenge. And his singing SUCKED. Anyone who thinks that was Depp’s best performance simply knows nothing about the guy’s career.
@ KC – “The Hot Topic generation” … very good!!
Burton and Depp have been solid, except for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Depp’s performance of Willy Wonka was terrible and off message. Willy was supposed to be a Man Child, who was looking for a connection with another child who could take over the chocolate factory. Instead, we got to this weird Wacko Jacko version who is just down right creepy. Depp’s Willy was just more about Willy’s origin his weirdness and the stupid CGI singing Oompa Loompas. Where was Willy’s heart in that movie? Ray and I are on the same page here.
Saying that. I have the feeling Depp and Burton are repeating this same mistake with Alice. Depp’s Mad Hatter looks too weird. It’s just too much. Burton ego is too high and I’m sure no one is challenging him to hold back a little, with the Mad Hatter’s design. The wig, makeup, contacts, wardrobe, is just too, too much. It’s a shame these directors (BURTON, LUCAS, SPIELBERG, CAMERON,) get so big, everyone in the room just shuts up, afraid to question the script, design, or casting. Again, I’m just assuming Depp’s Mad Hatter will not work because of the ridiculous transformation of Depp, to look like a comic book freak version of the Mad Hatter. Why not just make Depp’s Mad Hatter totally CGI and Depp can hangout in the sound booth? I’m willing to bet Depp’s look and performance would have been far more effective if they would have scaled back the character design by 50%. I’m just saying.
“So I was looking at this picture of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter from the latest Tim Burton weird-fest Alice In Wonderland when it suddenly struck me: Burton has ruined this excellent actor”
Funny thing, that. I was driving down the motorway, when i saw this huge ass billboard of Alice in Wonderland. i simply thought to myself “Oh Johnny, what has become of you” Though i won’t go so far as to say that Tim ruined his career, but I think Johnny Depp has got to realize that the joke has run its course. We know u can play crazy, zany, strange, bizzare or plain fucking weird, but its done mate.
i imagine this movie is gonna make loads, given the subject matter, 3D effects and the rest of the quirky character; but i doubt anyone is gonna remember the Mad Hatter any more than frickin Sweeney Todd (u forgot that one Ray). One has to start wondering if he’s really doing these movies for his kids (all grown up now, and probably wouldn’t give a toss)or still trying to prove to the rest of the cinema going public, that he’s still got loads of zany characters that he could pull out of his…….hat. Sorry. it just seemed like an apt way to end this rant.
What about Helena Bonham-Carter too? Brilliant in FIGHT CLUB and then she married Tim Burton. He has a lot to answer for :-)
You know Depp is the one trying out for these roles right… he has the decision of what he wants to act in.
This cgi crap is awful I may be the only one but Avatar didn’t do shite for me, too perfect, too plastic, I hate cgi skies and landscape…and now Burton is using it too with Alice, Burton should’ve had done it like he did Pee Wee’s big adventure, something freakish but not so technological and perfect, I love the ” cheapy” creapy old special effects also seen in Burton’s Beetlejuice
CGI is doing to movies what synthesizers did to 80′s music
@ Paul L. – I completely agree with you about Helena Bonham Carter.
1. Yes you did mention that you were basing your FULLY formed (that’s how it read to me) opinion on what you had seen ‘thus’ far. Thank you for assuming I didn’t actually read your article completely.. I read it twice.
2. Maybe your not a complete hack.. I read a couple of your other articles, and you were right on with your thoughts considering Percy Jackson.. What a ridiculous movie. And Crazy Heart was GREAT!!
3. My definition of a hack is a critic who comes off as a wanna-be actor, director, screen writer who could not realize that and compensates by trashing the successful.
4. Your cynicism and ‘know it all’ style of writing diminishes your opinions. I too have been guilty of this from time to time. But I digress, I have grown up in recent years.
5. To be completely honest, I have to say, I will probably continue to follow this page. It might be fun to debate you. ;)
6. I seriously doubt Mr. Depp is feeling much ruination while relaxing on the island he owns..
7. I actually hope to appreciate you in the future.
8. Your avatar seriously sucks. What message is that trying to send? That you have even worse taste than Kanye West in eyewear..
Gordon K.
@ Gordon – Sorry if I come off as a “know it all.” I often get that. Mostly it has to do with the fact that I am opinionated, and I am also quite capable of articulating myself. I have no problem “debating” anyone … even you.
But since you decided to use six of the above eight dicussion topics bashing me and/or my writing, I thought I might point out to you that the word “your” is possessive, and means something different than the abbreviated “you’re,” which means “you are.” I mean, if we are going to discuss my writing skills, then it might help if we were both on the same page grammatically. Of course, you might need six to ten more years of schooling to catch up.
Clearly Johnny doesn’t care about my opinion. He can, of course, do whatever he wants. That doesn’t mean that I, a fan of his, cannot lament the fact that he has descended forever into an abyss of cartoonish nonsense. I miss Johnny Depp the ACTOR, and this article is simply a statement of that. If you like performances like Willy Wonka, then I applaud you for being so easily distracted and amused. I’m sure Burton will find some other garish character with which to smother Depp’s fading talent, and that should keep you happily appeased. But it doesn’t make me happy at all, because the guy is too talented to waste his gifts on shit like that.
Anyway … where was I?
ouch, that has gotta hurt!
I’m not sure that Burton ruined Depp; I think that chasing the success of ‘Pirates’ has ruined Depp (at least, to the extent that he’s ruined), it’s just that Burton is the one who keeps riding the train, because it’s the easiest way for him to get funding for his expensive movies.
And, yeah, I didn’t like ‘Sweeney Todd’, but he’s good enough in it. Better than he is in ‘Public Enemies’.
Yes you write better than I do. That does not hurt at all to be pointed out. I never critiqued your use of grammar. It is better than mine. I trashed what you say. The ‘things’ you write simply SCREAM that you are unhappy and pathetic.. Obviously a few of my points struck a nerve and you choose to attack my obvious flaw. When you realize your obvious flaws, you will become an even better writer. Anyway where were you? Being a life-long azzhole I imagine..
@Gordon- my only obvious flaw as a writer is that my writing is wasted on readers like you.
That’s a joke, people.
Gordon, you seem like a nice enough guy. How ’bout we agree to disagree?
The problem with this and most blogs is that it is a lot of vapid opinion with next to zero real critical analysis. And as with most blogs, the point is to choose some provocative topic or slant to get attention and sell yourself, with finding any kind of core truth about the topic at hand a secondary concern, if it is a concern at all. Blogs are just so bloody alienating—everyone is having his own little sh*t fit behind his own little curtain. Accchhh. Enough of this pornography—I’m off to read a book.
Fartinthewind- read some other posts and then assess this “blog”.
wow. ray, here’s one of your problems. you assume that since you don’t like something, it’s a waste of time for the rest of the world. not the case. if you were talking about another actor that was, at one point, successful and career was tanking, your article would be legit. but you are talking about JOHNNY DEPP. He is a huge success world-wide, and is considered one of the best actors of his generation. As someone who has had dinner with johnny depp several times i can tell you this, he does movies like pirates, wonka, and alice FOR HIS CHILDREN. you can’t make fun of him for that, for being a good dad.
why i’m wasting time commenting, i don’t know. i guess it’s the same reason you write dumb articles.
writing like this will never get you any job as a critic. maybe you’re trying to become one, maybe not. but if you continue to disagree with the rest of the world, you will continue having posting your work on websites like this.