[chadbang]

Over the years I've liked Johnny Depp (yeah, he's hip and cute) and the films he's been in, but there's always been this little voice that was saying: "But can he really act?"

I read this review of "Pirates of the Carribean" today and took note of this quote:

Quote:

Depp is well known for his choices to take risks. While he could have been a more commercial actor, he has consistently been drawn to independent characters, from Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood. Here, he has a wry knack for winking at the entire proceedings, letting us know that at least he is aware that it is all foolishness.

And I realised that this sort of sums up Depp's career to me. He seems to be acting at acting ("winking at the proceeding") I've never really "believed" any of the characters he's played. Edward Scissor Hands was charming (and cute), but it was a cartoon role. His Ed Wood was another larger-than-life cartoon portrayal. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" again was a very broad performance (and, I think, too far over the top). And, of course, "What Eating Gilbert Grape" was another "out there" role that didn't really call on genuine emotion (and so damn cute! Eeech).

In his serious roles (oh, too many: "Astronaut's Wife" "The Ninth Gate" "From Hell" "Sleepy Hollow" "Nick of Time" etc.), I'm never really am wowed by his performances. They're "ok" but maybe just a smidge above soap opera acting. He never disappears into a role or cements a character, something that other hearthrobs like George Clooney and (occasionally) Brad Pitt manage to do -- although Johnny does remain awfully, well, cute.

Anyway my final verdict after all these years seems to be a thumbs down on the Depp repetoire. Yeah, I "like" Johnny Depp, but do I respect him as a serious actor? Frankly, no.

What are other people's opinions?

 

[blessingx]

What about Gilbert Grape (what was out there about that role?) or Before Night Falls (where he's not even recognizable... in two parts)?

Some of his choices have been in films that certainly couldn't be called subtle... and roles that reflect such. Pirates may be ones of these, though it is a cartoon. You may be right, but I'm much more critical of Pacino, which post-Sent, confuses volume with... well everything.

I think Depp is trying to exercise/expand his craft (damn that phrase sounds lame), which may mean he doesn't consistently hit the intensity of other actors. If this is serious acting or not is debatable (is DeNiro serious doing his one thing very well, but always?). I think he's exploring/experimenting. It may be interesting or not, but it at least seems like he's stretching. I certainly wouldn't call it a wink-type of acting.

BTW, do you realize how many times you said "cute"? That possibly may not be his problem.

 

[chadbang]

Hey, the multiple "cutes" were intentional.

Just suggesting that his career might be built on...er... cuteness.

Unfortunately DeNiro and Pacino -- who must be considered "brilliant" in their time, an appellation which I don't think many people would bestow on Johnny -- have appeared in so many films that we know all their tricks. Come on, everyone has only so much to give. That's why I think people now come down on them ... because we've seen everything they've got to give. It's a sad thing, but the fate of many performers, artists and writers.

 

[Neophyte]

Long answer Yes with a although, Short answer No, with a but.

 

[Zanth]

In my mind the hottest actors are Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp. They ooze this cool sexuality that gets the ladies going. But just because they are "cute" does not mean they can't act.

I think chadbang has it dead on though...Depp is acting at acting. That said, he is not unconvincing when acting. It's not like I walk out of a film and say..."DAMN! That was a horrible film" or "That Johnny Depp sure can't act!"

I am always entertained. I noticed also that two of his best roles were omitted:
Donnie Brasco and Chocolat. Watch these movies and tell me he can't act.

He is truly playing hollywood. They snub him for snubbing them. Yet...he still gets any role he wants why? Because he is huge with the fans. So, in the end he knows he wins.

I recently saw an interview with him from a small village close to his home in the South of France, it was quite remarkable.

Asking him why he lives in France? <Paraphrasing>

"I don't want my kids living in that cesspool of filth."

"You mean the US?"

"The US but Hollywood in particular. You get ****ed up living there."

"What do you enjoy most about living here?"

"Well besides the absolute peace and quiet, I can come down to a bistro, or bar and have a long chat about grapes, or about the weather, or about the US and I will be truly content" "Oh yes...and the wine

"

"How is your relationship with Hollywood?"

"Well its surprising I'm still working really. I'm just waiting for the day when they call my card. - 'That's it! Depp's career is dead.' Cause it is going to happen one day."





I like him, I like his attitude and energy on film and I love the fact that he bawks at the industry and yet takes them for a very expensive ride while providing people with entertainment. He doesn't care about the fashion, the trends or the tabloids. Let them print what they will, let them all say what they will and let Johnny and his daughter and gf?wife? live happily in France.

 

[acs236]

I'd say yes, and I don't think it's a close call. That being said, I'm not really a fan -- I haven't seen all his movies. He does take many unusual roles, and they don't always fit in the movie. I'm thinking here specifically of Sleepy Hollow, which I thought was a bad movie that was made interesting by Depp's performance. I think he was terrific in Fear and Loathing.

 

[chadbang]

Quote:

Donnie Brasco and Chocolat.

Sorry, Johnny, didn't see those two. Perhaps I'm being unfair judging without having the whole Depp songbook under my belt.

 

[grinch]

i wonder what makes acting good or bad, just like i wonder what makes music good or bad.

i think johnny depp can act. plus, he sounds like one hip mother****er AND he does tim burton movies. he's done some whacky roles, but he's certainly done incredibly well at them and i like that. who wants to see a movie that isn't whacky anyway? oh yay, i can't wait for "will and grace: the movie!"

 

[gloco]

I think he's a great actor and can pull off a great dramatic role, such as he did with Donnie Brasco. The fact that he accepts a lot of quirky roles only adds to the belief that he's willing to go out on a limb for a role, unlike many other actors.

 

[vwap]

Quote:

Originally posted by Zanth I am always entertained. I noticed also that two of his best roles were omitted: Donnie Brasco and Chocolat. Watch these movies and tell me he can't act.

You can't forget Benny and Joon...

I think Depp can act.. Similarly to Benny and Joon, he added his own "quirky" twist to Pirates of the Caribbean.. and I thought he was great in it. Somewhat along the lines of what chadbang said, it's his "cuteness" factor that makes him so cool. While some might not like it, I personally think his quirky antics here and there are pretty damn cool.

 

[nebuchadnezzar]

Dead Man, Brasco, Fear and Loathing, Ninth Gate, etc..
I'd say: yes.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by chadbang Unfortunately DeNiro and Pacino -- who must be considered "brilliant" in their time, an appellation which I don't think many people would bestow on Johnny -- have appeared in so many films that we know all their tricks.

My point was does De Niro have multiple tricks? Listen, I like him and most of his films MUCH better than Depp's. The Scorcese/DeNiro combo was really something from Raging Bull through Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Casino, along with a few other pairings- Deer Hunter, Once Upon a Time in America, etc. But he usually blows it when he steps outside his very small "safe" zone. Think Frankenstein, Analyze This, Stanley & Iris, We're No Angels, etc. What makes a great actor? Is De Niro... or John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant... a great actor? Or are Ben Kingsley, Chris Cooper, John Hurt, Meryl Streep who have range and constantly experiment? I'm sensing you place Depp in the former category (his cartoonish representations?). While not a big fan, I certainly place him in the second grouping. We live in a time where nearly everything in American films have moved towards literal/realism and method acting. I guess we've been there for a while. That certainly has advantages (see above De Niro films and Hackman comes to mind), but I hope cinema isn't limited by that. There's some hope- indie stuff is still kicking and Miramax just optioned three musicals, etc., but I think Depp deserves praise for the films he attaches himself to, and in most cases his choices once he takes over the character. Would you want Scissorhands to be more gritty? Loathing to be more angst driven? Those are different films and characters. I do wish more actors took chances once established. That said, is Johnny Depp a great actor (never heard him called that except in the small John Cusack/River Phoenix kinda way)? Haven't seen it yet, but I think he has a greater chance than most, to deserve the label later in his career.

 

[spaceman]

I kind of felt so-so about his acting until I saw Blow, Chocolat, Edward Scissorhands, and Sleepy Hollow. However, the movie that he really shined in was From Hell , this was an excellent movie, and he really acted the part. I have a lot of respect for an actor who can play a myriad of different roles, and do it so well. He is one of my favorite actors now, and not because he is cute or sexy

I believe he will get even better with age

 

[acs236]

To over-generalize, I would say Deniro is more of a star actor, while Depp is more of a character actor.

 

[chadbang]

BlessingX, in the history of the cinema, who would you see as a parallel career to Depp's? My first thought was Cary Grant who played both comedy and drama.

Believe me, I respect your comments. You last appraisal was excellent. And I've said I like Depp as an actor. I think Ed Wood was a marvelous film. He exude such misguided and optimistic ethusiasm -- and that's not easy to do. (I read somewhere, said by a famous actor, that the hardest thing to play is a hero. I'd think playng a "good egg" must be equally as tough.) Perhaps Depp prefers comedy, hence the Grant comparison and possibly why I don't accord him the same respect as a Brando (who did play comedy as well ), DeNiro, or, yes, Pacino. For the moment I'll leave Gilgud, Olivier, et al, out of the equation.

So far, however, people like Johnny Depp... and that's fine by me. I was just curious.