The ephemeral Johnny Depp

Good guy one minute, villain the next

Published on August 12, 2004 By Melinda Stanners In Movies & TV & Books

Did anyone else find 'Secret Window' slightly disconcerting in the wake of 'Pirates of the Carribean'? I know that it's a testimony to his wide range of acting abilities, but when considered in relation to 'Once upon a Time in Mexico,' doesn't it make you wonder a little bit?

Just a little?

I mean, the characters that an actor chooses to play says something about that actor (ie the distasteful Heather Graham, the delightful Billy Crystal, etc). But now Meg Ryan has gotten on the bandwagon, shedding her sweet romantic lead exterior and revealing that she's really just as mean as the kids at school that pick on the nerds.

So who are they really? As viewers we make character judgments of the actors based on the roles that they play, which, since they're actors, is hardly fair, nor is it logical. But we categorise people on the basis of behaviour, and if we don't see them in any other context, it's really all we have to judge them on!

'Mexico' is a far cry from 'The Man who Cried,' and 'Pirates' is miles away from 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?', so I guess we'll just never know. Although I did hear that he chased a chef around the kitchen a la 'Mexico' style, threatening to kill him... but that was just a rumour.

Any thoughts?

Comments

apdelong31

on Aug 12, 2004

Imagine trying to categorize his role in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Dead on Hunter S. Thompson impression, but the biggest acid trip of a movie.

Melinda Stanners

on Aug 12, 2004

Exactly! Who is this strange man????

Furry Canary

on Sep 08, 2004

I mean, the characters that an actor chooses to play says something about that actor

I like this theory!

It makes particular sense to me in respect of Bruce Willis. I read an interview with him in 'The Big Issue' (to those who don't know, a magazine sold by and for homeless people) in which he chose to spit the dummy about - wait for it - the ridiculously high level of tax he is required to pay! The further I got through the article, the more it appeared obvious to me that, for Bruce, the lines are blurring. He really does think he's the guy to save the planet in the event of civil uprising, alien invasion, earthbound asteroid etc. It incensed me ALMOST as much as when you read interviews with guys who play mobsters, where they say: 'Yeah, if I hadn't got into acting I would probably have turned to a life of crime.' No they wouldn't! Criminals are what they PLAY when they dress up, not what they are. They would have been ORDINARY people, like the rest of us, and it's that they find hardest to swallow.

Incidentally, if there is anything to this theory, you've GOT to worry about Kate Beckinsale - I mean, does she see herself as a vampire or a vampire hunter?

Melinda Stanners

on Sep 08, 2004

When I was going to university in the city I used to get the Big Issue sometimes - no one sells it where I am now. I'm sorry to have missed this interesting insight into Bruce's character - the real one, I mean. Sorry, that was a very, very little joke. Hee.

This is a good question, the one about Kate Beckinsale. There are still some actors out there with their heads still on their shoulders, but there are many for whom acting has transformed their personalities, or at least their outlook. I couldn't give you a detailed list of who is on which list, but not all are lost to the luring quagmire of being something other than what they are.

But to look at it in a positive light, all of Angelina Jolie's planet-saving has resulted in her doing some good things in third world aid, so when expressed positively this heroic inclination can be a productive thing.

I refuse to believe that Charlize Theron is any more inclined to murder people than the average person, though.

Actually, going back to the believing you're a hero issue, I have suspicions that acting is SOMETIMES, not always and not for every actor, a manifestation of self-dissatisfation, and the expression of a desire to be someone else - someone more desirable or acceptable or with characteristics that you lack in reality. Poor self image correlates with drug and alcohol abuse, and it's possible that once the movie is over, the identity is shed, and you're back to being yourself again, further dissatisfaction with your own perceived weaknesses leads to self destructive behaviour. Just with some.

Of course, others might not let go of this new and improved identity - hence your Bruce Willis comment.

What do you think?

wuxiaomao

on Sep 08, 2004

'Secret Window'

I watched it last night, I finished it and watched it again(oh yes we in the Orient already have it on DVD)....he still does it for me, I found the dark humor really funny and I don't knwo i think i am just blinded by the sexiness that exudes him.

Melinda Stanners

on Sep 08, 2004

He has a real comic knack, hasn't he? Funny, sexy... but evil

Unfortunately I saw it coming a mile off, which meant that I was warching the film hoping that I was wrong for an hour before they revealed the personality split. Oh, the pain.... but fortunately he has made such a wide range of films that I can aviod the ones where Johnny goes evil

wuxiaomao

on Sep 09, 2004

see thats why you are not supposed to think during movies it spoils the plot!!! I tell you I am the reason blockbusters become blockbusters! I am involved all the way, never think, cry at the right moment, scared at the right moment, jump, scream whatever they anticipate I am usually dead on!

wuxiaomao

on Sep 09, 2004

Its the sexiness he exudes that blankets the evilness:) This coming from someone who has an unhealthy relationship with the aforementioned gentleman!!

Melinda Stanners

on Sep 09, 2004

I have to admit that I still sided with him even after he killed the exwife and her husband and grew corn over their bodies... there's just something about him. I can understand now how people can be driven to a life of crime for the one they love now...

Melinda Stanners

on Sep 09, 2004

Oh, you must be the absolute perfect audience member wuxiaomao

I'm a nuisance watching films. I pick the plot holes, occasionally the endings, and character inconsistencies... I'm the one who you hear coming out of the cinema going, 'That movie was great, but would have been better if - '. I suspect that that happens when the director had to cut stuff out and hoped that no one would notice. Bloody time restrictions - honestly, if they provided a toilet break I would rather watch the full length version

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