In 1846, Sweeney Todd ( Johnny Depp) returns to London, seeking vengeance from a corrupt Judge (Alan Rickman) who wronged him. With the help of Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), Todd begins his quest for revenge, and revenge has never tasted so good!
Revenge is a dish best served cold, as the old saying goes. According to Tim Burton's new film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street however, revenge is best served piping hot. This is an adaptation of the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd. While the idea of characters bursting into song may be off-putting to some film fanatics as it might seem like it would take away from the seriousness and atmosphere of the film, this daring move adds to the plot, sending chills down the viewers’ spine (without being an adult version of high school musical!). Many directors were critical of Tim Burton’s casting of Johnny Depp, who is not known for his singing skills. Yet what he lacks in singing, he makes up for in acting, personifying both fear and grotesque delight from scene to scene. Todd is an unpredictable, foul-tempered and mysterious individual. With a star studded cast including many actors from the immensely popular Harry potter franchise, Helena Bonham carter, Timothy Spall and Alan Rickman to name but a few. The casting for the film, along with the murky background, minimal props and detailed costumes cast an aura of darkness around the film and its characters.With a budget of $50 million to produce this film, it raked in an astounding $152.5 million. The film won many awards, including the golden globe award for best motion picture and best actor in a musical or comedy.
The basis for this new film is of course the infamous Sweeney Todd - real name Edward Barker- who murders customers as they enter his barber shop. To hide the evidence, Todd gives the bodies to his neighbour and partner in crime, Mrs Lovett, who owns a pie shop. While Hollywood dramatized the tale of the demon barber of Fleet Street, the essence of the original character is still intact. The film follows Todd as he arrives in London seeking Judge Turpin who deported Todd after stealing Todd’s wife. The film that follows is a mix of revenge, remorse and plenty of hair raising moments, followed by a fair few doomed romances. While many film directors are afraid to rely on an urban legend for the basis of their film, Tim Burton dared to dive head first into the story of Sweeney Todd, even including a new character to add more drama to his film. With many dark secrets and more plot twists than one could count, Burton has his viewers sitting on the edge of their seats from the opening lines right up to the closing credits!