The answer is blatant: Mr. Tim Burton.
Of course I'm part of this gloomy crowd, that's why a couple of weeks ago I was standing outside a cinema in Turin waiting for the first afternoon projection of his brand new movie, "Dark Shadows". I must admit that when I found out, months ago, the title of this last Burton's work, I was simply enthusiastic. Then I read a short plot, and I felt a little disappointed... Depp, a vampire, who starts living again after 200 years and finds an almost unrecognizable world 'round himself? "Trivial, already seen", that's what I thought.
But I had to change my mind...
I won't tell you everything about the story, I don't want to spoil too much. Let me just try to convince you that "Dark Shadows" isn't a masterpiece and can't be considered Burton's best movie of all times...but if you need two hours of relax, away from heavy thoughts of everyday life, give this movie a chance. I found it so hilarious! The plot is easy, but well-constructed, dialogues are sometimes a bit longer, but never boring or useless, the 70ies setting is one of the most brilliant ideas of the movie, it makes you want to be part of it if, like me, you were born only a decade after...the colours, the music (read more to know something witty about it!), even some actors' faces make me remember of some old pictures that I only saw in my parents' youth photo albums.
Lastly, please let me give you 5 advices, which to me represent the real reasons you should simply see this movie and accept its fickleness:
1) JOHNNY DEPP
He loves playing dark creatures, he likes it so much. Here, in my humble opinion, he feels the character even better then in the previous movies - I thought he had reached his climax in "Sweeney Todd", evil as never before, but he succeed to surprise me again. Dark, unhappy, prisoner of a tragic destiny, nevertheless romantic, eager, fascinating (as always, I'd add...).
2) EVA GREEN.
Many people will see her on screen for the first time, and this, alone, would be a really good reason to choose this movie on a Friday night. But I already know her. It was 2003, I was really young, too much probably, and on an October afternoon I went to the cinema to see "The Dreamers", directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. I was stunned by her charm.
And after almost 10 years I was amazed once again. Here she's wicked, but impossible not to forgive her...after all, she's only in love...
3) HELENA BONHAM CARTER
I read a review where a middlebrow critic wrote the she's been playing the same role for about 20 years. I don't agree at all, but let's try to considerate this statement as true...God, she's playing it wonderfully ! Perfect in her horrible 70ies dresses, at ease in that improbable hair style, she kindly accepts to die after a really close encounter with Depp's groin. A small Burton's revenge?
4) MICHELLE PFEIFFER
She's never been one of my favourite actress, I've always perceived her as too cold. Well, in a gothic movie like this, this feature of her is just suitable, and she seems to understand it very well. A little haughty, but so much sensual, she shows her mother/aunt heart only towards the end.
Footnote: girls, you'll just love her dresses and shoes!
5) ALICE COOPER
This is the bomb surprise!!! Yes, it's he for real, and moreover... he plays himself!!! I don't want to tell you why the hell he's part of this movie, I would reveal too much, but c'mon...no need to explain more, you'll just find him adorable.
