Tim Burton directs this artfully-made but grisly musical, set in 19th-century England,. A corrupt judge (Alan Rickman) falsely imprisons a barber named Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) out of lust for his wife, Lucy.
Years later, Barker escapes, is rescued at sea by a young sailor, Anthony, and returns to London. There he finds Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), who owns a failing meat pie shop. He is told by her that his wife, after rejecting Judge Turpin's advances, was raped and later killed herself. Not only that, but Judge Turpin has his teenage daughter, Johanna, and is raising her as his own child.
Vowing to get revenge, he changes his name to Sweeney Todd and reopens his barber shop, with violent intentions. Well done in every respect, Sweeney Todd is totally Tim Burton- dark sets, macabre story, and miserable, bitter lead characters. All makeup and set designs are pale and bleak, except for the bright, dreamlike flashbacks. In one scene, Mrs. Lovett sings a number about her hopes and dreams for the future. In the fantasy sequence that follows, the background becomes more brightly colored and optimistic, but the characters' makeup remains the same, perhaps reflecting the futility of her fantasies.
Definitely not for every taste, this film is highly recommended for anyone looking for something a little different or who has an interest in sick and twisted cinema. Do not watch this if you are squeamish. When my family watched it, my mom had her head down her shirt for a good amount of the movie. If you are turned off by substantial amounts of blood and violence in movie, it's a fair bet that you won't enjoy it. (Rated R)
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