Review of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

"I can guarantee the closest shave you'll ever know. "

Whenever I see a film directed by Tim Burton, I know that it involves either about a dark, or unusual visual design, and usually stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Well, I wasn't wrong with this film. The only difference was that this was a musical, thus testing the acting prowess and flexibility of the actors involved in the film. And they did not disappoint. In a delightfully dark and gothic telling of the Broadway play, Burton shows us the journey of Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker (Depp), as he loses his wife (Kelly) and his daughter, Joanna (Wisener) after the lusty Judge Turpin (Rickman) rapes Todd's wife (she poisons herself afterwards) and takes Joanna as his ward. Todd is sent to Australia where he is forced to do hard labour. When he returns, he learns that Turpin has developed lustful feelings for Joanna, and he plans to exact his revenge. Along with his former neighbor, Mrs. Lovett (Bonham Carter), who runs a failing pie shop, he turns his attentions to avenging the death and abduction of his wife and daughter. Although bloody, the movie promises a lot of funny moments, especially concerning Bonham Carter, who seems to have hidden a singing talent through the years. There is never a dull moment in the film, and the Burton-Depp team up seems to have become a surefire way to enjoy a film, no matter how dark or bloody it may become.

10/10