Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
"The legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett."
- IMDB
I don't think I can perfectly quantify the love I have for this film. The musical itself is insane on it's own - Tim Burton brought in Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter and made the greatest adaption to a musical ever. This is a must see. Incredible and insane experience. Thank you Sondheim. Thank you Burton. Gods bless Johnny Depp.
There was a Barber and his wife...
I'm also so hyped and happy to watch this movie and I get to excited about the cast and the songs. I totally forget how truly depressing and effed up the story actually is. This man with power ruins a family for no reason other than his own lust. He imprisons a man because he can, drives his crush to madness, then kidnaps their daughter. Sweeney returns home full of rage and rightfully so.
Can we talk about the cast. Grindelwald, Young Grindelwald, Bellatrix, Snape, and Peter Pettigrew walk into a barber shop..... That's it. That's the plot. This and Les Misérables are literally the best casts of a musical production I've ever seen in my life. I am mesmerized by their performances every time. This movie was made at the right moment in history with the right people. Absolutely phenomenal.
Worst Pies In London
I love Mrs. Lovette. I feel you bro. Particularly in this version. I would also be groveling over a Sweeney Todd portrayed by Johnny Depp. Have you also seen clips of Aaron Tviet as Sweeney? Sutton Foster does not hold back lmao.
It's definitely a toxic trait of mine that I would totally be willing to be in Lovette's place. Though she is so hooked on a love story or building a family while Sweeney is just not. I'm sure there's a lesson on revenge and how clinging to the past takes away from the now. But killing people and baking them into pies just seems like the better alternative, ya know?
These Are My Friends
It's Todd, now. Sweeney Todd.
If I'm not hyped by this point of the movie, These Are My Friends is the song that gets me IN. I remembering this was a favorite for me and my high school bff to sing during our daily morning hang outs before classes started. I'm am full team Sweeney. And Johnny's performance of this song is specifically fantastic. The way he delivers that final line... Let's effing go.
Green Finch & Linnet Bird
Boy oh boy the irony of Anthony falling in love with Joanna. Literally of all the girls in London, it had to be her. Also, is it just me or does Joanna's actress low key look like Lily-Rose Depp? Was this accidental perfect visual casting or what?
Meeting Joanna also meant getting the proper introduction of Judge Turpin, played by the legendary Alan Rickman. He's menacing, conniving, and lustful. A perfect villain portrayed by a perfect actor.
Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention pleeeeeease!
Pirelli was brought in to instigate Sweeney's murderous spree. He shows up trying to blackmail him about his past and Sweeney was going to have none of that. He didn't want any risks going into his grand revenge plot against the judge. It was a gruesome death to be sure.
Sacha was so great at capturing the extravagant nonsense that is Pirelli. And it's always hilarious to me that him and Helena would reunite in another musical literally a few years later as the inn keepers in Les Misérables.
Pretty Woman
This scene is everything I could've ever wanted.
Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman. They gave a masterclass performance. Their duet was magical. They were a formidable on screen duo that I never knew I needed. They played well off each other, and Johnny's portrayal of Sweeney slowly building up his revenge brough intensitiy to such an upbeat song.
Epiphany
"But the work waits. I'm alive at last. And I'm full of joy."
Give this man an Oscar now! Have I already mentioned how brilliant Johnny's performance is???
Honestly it's so hard to not side with Sweeney. F the concept of class structure. Humanity deserves all of it's suffering. We suck as a species. And even the best people in the world have some sort of darkness. No single person is innocent.
But also the hype built from this moment! I know revenge always come a cost but I'm so ready to see Sweeney pay it as he decides to become a serial killer just to practice murdering one guy. My body is ready.
Have a little priest
"We'll serve anyone to anyone!"
This scene is everything I could've ever wanted.
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter singing a song full of cannibal puns??? How could I not be in love with this scene?!?!? I also love the Broadway version as it is a few minutes longer with even more puns than the film. Sondheim, what were you smoking when you wrote these lyrics? I'd like some of it please. 🤣
Joanna
Here is a reminder that Sweeney Todd is not just a fun tale of serial killers and cannibalism.
Sweeney sings to his daughter as he continues his killing spree. He is essentially saying goodbye to her as he sacrifices his own humanity to get the job done. He is already accepting that even when he gets his revenge, it won't mean happiness for Sweeney and his family...
By the Sea
This scene is everything I could've ever wanted.
Helena Bonham Carter singing a happy song about a happy life next an emo depressed Johnny Depp who just looks dead inside in every shot. How could I not love this scene?!?!?!? Sweeney is such a mood. Sweeney Todd looking emo af on the beach is my spirit animal.
It's honestly bittersweet in a way as well. Lovette. You are cooking people into meat pies. Do you really think you'll get the happy ending you think you deserve?
Nothing's Gonna Harm You
The climax is here and is ready to make you feel so depressed.
While it is epic and satisfying to witness Sweeney get his revenge, he paid the price to accomplish his goal. He killed his wife who turned out to be the beggar woman this whole time. He murders Lovette because she never told him the full truth. And Toby kills Sweeney, a once again lonely orphan in this cruel city known as London.
It's beautiful and dark. The lighting and music add to the melancholy. The credits role and I always end the film with the same sense of awe as I did the first time I saw it. This a masterpiece of a film and and terrific adaption of the original musical. One of my favorite movies of all time.
My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★
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