Sweeney Todd

"Sweeney Todd" has a long history, Stage, musical, film. Staged in various manifestations by Hal Prince etc. Sweeney Todd is an unlikely, yet crowd-pleasing story based on a book. If you are a Johnny Depp and/or/also Tim Burton fan you will love this dark ride. Stephen Sondheim's beautiful music/lyrics evoke the feeling perfectly and what better director to showcase a dark, seething, seedy London than Mr. Burton?
Johnny Depp sings in his cultivated English accent (think Inspector Abeline in "From Hell") and does a reasonable job, Helena Bonham Carter slightly less so. While she does a sterling job of playing the dark, lusting pie-maker, Mrs. Lovett I do tire of Tim Burton's constant casting of her due to their relationship.
The sets and costumes are wonderful and Alan Rickman is a restrained malignant nemesis (Judge Turpin) for Johnny Depp. Timothy Spall is excellent and sinks his teeth into his scheming, foppish, sidekick role (Beadle). Spall's eyes positively glint when sadistic pleasures are on the menu.
Sacha Baron Cohen is excellent in his 'short-lived' role and reinforces his verstility.
I loved this dark, poignant re-telling of a wonderful tale.
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