I pretty much try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it leaves on my face. – Johnny Depp
Director: Roman Polanski.
Writers: Arturo Pérez-Reverte (novel), John Brownjohn (screenplay).
Stars: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella and Lena Olin.
What I have noticed in many places (not here, of course J) is a reverence for many directors that often clouds judgement.It often doesn’t matter what he/she does because of what has been done. Sorry to burst your bubble but I’m kind of irreverent and frankly I believe that bad is bad, even if the director is great.
This film flew under my radar until my brother Doug mentioned that he was watching it. Roman Polański’s life is a big mess, but I don’t review lives only films. [Roman Polański, born 18 August 1933, is a Polish-French film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, America and France he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Polanski)
In 1977, Polanski was arrested for the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl and pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful sex with a minor. To avoid sentencing, Polanski fled. Years later, the Swiss rejected a request for extradition and instead released him from custody and declared him a "free man.”]
Plot: A rare book dealer, while seeking out the last two copies of a demon text, gets drawn into a conspiracy with supernatural overtones. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142688/)
Polanski is known for such films as The Ghost Writer (2010), Rosmary’s Baby (1968) and Chinatown (1974). He is usually amazing. Oh, well. The Fearless Vampire Killers (originally titled Dance of the Vampires) is a 1967 comedy horror film directed by Roman Polanski, so it’s not really surprising that Frank Langellahttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001449/ is in The Ninth Gate (1999). Langella starred in Dracula (1979) – he is associated with the supernatural.
People swoon over Johnny Depp – I don’t. I will discuss him though. His work is often campy, excessive and over the top. Here he plays a straight role – a rare book dealer – and frankly it’s hard to buy. Maybe his other work unfairly pigeon-holes him. He is good at the other stuff. So, Polanski’s film rests on his flawed shoulders. If the main character doesn’t work, how can the film? I am really reticent to blame the film’s failure on him. I mean, he didn’t cast himself, right? Polanski said, “I loved the idea of a book being the hero of a movie, I don’t believe it has ever been done before. That’s one of the reasons why the script appealed to me.” (http://minadream.com/romanpolanski/InterviewFour.htm) Sure.
As a supernatural thriller it isn’t scary or mysterious. Mostly I thought, ‘Who cares?’ A Polanski aesthetic (here old-world European) was prevalent and that was interesting. The story was not captivating though.
Look, there are worse films out there. It would be like comparing apples and oranges. Polanski’s good filmic reputation allows for a mistake.
Polanski said, “The story was very complex, and we were obliged to simplify it a lot for the screen version. Even if the avid reader in me is sorry we had to cut parts from the book, I knew as a director that it was unavoidable.” (http://minadream.com/romanpolanski/InterviewFour.htm) Maybe it lost something in the adaptation.
A review said, “Despite a murder scene that looks very much like an homage to Frenzy, there are few things worthy of Hitchcock in The Ninth Gate. The black bordering-on-camp humor is more than ever present, only this time it seems to be poking fun at the picture itself. Obviously Polanski doesn’t take the story seriously even though we are meant to. Which is not only an insult to the audience’s intelligence but makes for an ultimately disappointing movie.” (http://www.feoamante.com/Movies/YZ01/9thgate.html) However, only Depp’s presence pointed to a camp performance.
If the film was actually made as a camp depiction it would have worked. A serious film? Really? Yes, it was absurd but not in a camp way. I didn’t perceive humour. Polanski says, “Humor varies between people and civilizations. What the French consider hilarious won’t seem funny for Americans… I was really surprised to see how some people reacted to The Ninth Gate: they just didn’t get the jokes”. (http://minadream.com/romanpolanski/InterviewFour.htm) I am one of them.
Toward the end of the film it is more corny than campy. It’s a flop – not worth seeing. Then again, maybe it’s my best-worst movie so I should say if you see it, it’s at your own risk.
Romy Shiller is a pop culture critic and holds a PhD in Drama from the University of Toronto. Her academic areas of concentration include film, gender performance, camp and critical thought. She lives in Montreal where she continues her writing. All books are available online
Website: http://romyshiller.com/
Twitter: RomyShiller
