Johnny Depp - should he grow up?

[Jonesy]

Thought I'd start this thread to coincide with the feature in every month's TF. This month the discussion was about Johnny Depp, and whether it was time he grew up in his films. I agreed with most of what the article said, particularly the reference to his 'panto-pillock pecs' as Jack Sparrow. Depp has become boring - something I hoped would never happens, as I've always admired his film choices and performances during the 80s and 90s. So what does everyone else think. Should Johnny Depp grow up, or is it just me and Kevin Harley?

[Porkchopexpress]

That was an interesting article, I remember reading it and thinking what a good actor Johnny Depp is and then the more I read and rememebred some for the films he's been involved in, I began to find myself more on the fence.

Some of my favourite Depp performances 'Ed Wood', 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' and 'Donnie Brasco', are all further back than my mind allows.

His Burton collaboration seesm to just perpetuate this as he acts based on whatever Uncle Tim has in the pipeline so is his choice of films more to do with his puppet master, after all for every 'Chocolate factory' we get a 'Sleepy Hollow'.

Maybe its a reflection of him actually growing up and embracing his age and fatherhood as an adult that reflects some of his current choices, where as they may be conservative and family friendly by his own standards and his back catalogue. The roles hes had with Burton are really not run of the mill.

Then my internal monologue divides and argues that perhaps he secretly craves critical recognition and that his only Oscar nod came form playing a wacky pirate and as a result hes picking more and more ludicrous roles to try and out pomp himself and demosntrate evern stranger range. Although I doubt he's made any conscious attempt to gain an award, not like the clogging syrup performances of people liek Carrey and Williams.

Or maybe he just doesn't take himself too seriously anymore, which is no bad thing. I remember Guy Pearce having a tantum on the set of Ravenous because he though the material had been made too flippant and childinsh, now hes matured and loosened up he made some of his better film choices.

Oh well I'm kind of indiiferent, I like Depp as an actor and much like other actors I like Nathan Fillion, Christian Bale, Kurt Russell etc, I find them watchable in anything, regardless of tone.

[Kiba.]

I think Depp should grow up a bit. The Peter Pan "I can do quirky roles" thing is starting to wear thin. He's got his own thing, and always has and that's fine but can he not be more like, say, Robert Downey and mix the fun roles with more adult material? It need not be one or the other. Depp never used to limit himself which made his career interesting. But he seems to be on a loop of Disney or purposefully weird characters these days. It's time he reminded us all of what a fine subtle character actor he can be.

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

after all for every 'Chocolate factory' we get a 'Sleepy Hollow'.

Burton hasn't put out a Sleepy Hollow for a while now.

Then my internal monologue divides and argues that perhaps he secretly craves critical recognition and that his only Oscar nod came form playing a wacky pirate

Yes. I've always thought it very unfortunate that he received an Oscar nod for that performance. It shows a real lack of discernment on the Academy's part.

Or maybe he just doesn't take himself too seriously anymore, which is no bad thing.

I don't think he ever has but that's a cop out for constantly selecting roles where it's all about costume, makeup, effects and quirky tics. I'd like to see him play a regular Joe sometime. Just to remind us that he can.

Guy Pearce I'm familiar with, having read many of his interviews and watched virtually all of his films. He may have matured but he'll never fully loosen up, from what I hear he's quite highly strung. He still makes some rubbish choices with his films but he's getting better.

I still like Depp as an actor and will continue to watch his films. But I don't care to see him in another Burton collaboration. Imo it's gone on a film too far. Burton needs some new muses.

[Jonesy]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

Or maybe he just doesn't take himself too seriously anymore, which is no bad thing. I remember Guy Pearce having a tantum on the set of Ravenous because he though the material had been made too flippant and childinsh, now hes matured and loosened up he made some of his better film choices.

Pearce has made some dreadful film choices over the last ten years since the brilliance of LA Confidential and Memento: Time Machine; Till Human Voices Wake Us; First Snow; Death Defying Acts; Traitor; Bedtime Stories...That's a lot of crap in between some class pieces such as The Hurt Locker and The Proposition. You really believe he's made some better film choices of late?

[Porkchopexpress]

Well my memory and recollection of films is somewhat hazey to say the least, I just tend to go on what I remember. 'Better' probably wasn't the right word to use, but the choices he's made since those self aware times immediately post 'La Confidential' just seem to imply he's more at home making choices of film for him rather than one eye on crdibilty or artistic integrity.

Guy pearce just interviewed as being a bit up his own arse, it just stuck with me from a 'Ravenous' interview, a film which I quite like, but felt was sullied by Pearce's negativity toward it for me personally.

I don't think he's made anything truly dreadful, t'Time machine' was kind of pants, but things like 'Fragments' aren't diabolical. Guy Pearce films I've enjoyed were more along the lines of 'Two Brothers' (It's ace!) 'Count of Monte Christo' and 'The Proposition', these films were all several years ago I know, but that's what I was referring to, since his self stated lightening up.

I agree with the Burton/Depp collaboration which has gone too far, it's benefitting neither it seems these days, the last Burton film I really enjoyed was 'Big Fish' and Depp wasn't even in it.

I don;t know what it is, Depp's reluctance to choose more dramatic fare, he can be magnificent actor when he puts in a subtle performance, I wonder if the strangest thing has happned, he's inadvertently become typecast as the go to guy for 'Out there' performances. I'm sure he would say he wouldn't care, but I wonder if he would if someone put that to him.

Although I've heard some criticism saying Deep played Dillinger as something of a dandy in 'Public enemies' I haven't seen it, but have read the book and Dillinger was something of a fashionable dandy of his time, so I'm not sure what that's about.

Shame we have more Pirates films in pre-production, guess that's it for a while while they flog the dead horse for a bit longer.

[thedude]

Im not sure its a case of him needing to grow up.
There is always the idea that he has inadvertantly put himself in this typecast position.
He may simply not be getting the offers anymore for challenging roles. There is always the money aspect, now from interviews its clear that he is a cool and reasonably down to earth guy, well for an actor anyway, but surely the lure of mega-disney-bucks and box office kerching has started to outweigh the draw of smaller and far less well paid films; wouldnt it you? I may try and pretend to not be shallow, but the man has been acting for many years, and its only really been since the first Pirates that he has been earning the silly money, if I was him, and had been doing this for as long as he has, I think I may well weigh anchor and cash in...that doesnt mean it wouldnt hurt him to do the occasional different thing.

As a side note, I personally wouldnt mind, or rather wont mind, anouther Pirates film. I enjoyed the first one tremendously, and while the sequels were dire, I still like the mythology of the Pirates Universe, so am happy to revisit...doent hurt that Ian McShane is in it as well.

[morris]

Originally Posted by thedude

..from interviews its clear that he is a cool and reasonably down to earth guy, for an actor anyway, but surely the lure of mega-disney-bucks and box office kerching has started to outweigh the draw of smaller and far less well paid films; wouldnt it you?

It would for me Dude, right from the start but I'm not JD. I believe he has turned down many cash cow roles in his time, or frequently chosen to alternate between small/indie and big budget fare. I can't imagine that at this stage of his life and after the mega pay cheques from Pirates that money is a concern or consideration for him at all. I guess he's just doing what he enjoys doing. So, good for him..?

But it wouldn't hurt him to embrace a little more variety now and then rather than always being Burton's toy boy.

[thedude]

Originally Posted by morris

It would for me Dude, right from the start but I'm not JD. I believe he has turned down many cash cow roles in his time, or frequently chosen to alternate between small/indie and big budget fare. I can't imagine that at this stage of his life and after the mega pay cheques from Pirates that money is a concern or consideration for him at all. I guess he's just doing what he enjoys doing. So, good for him..?

But it wouldn't hurt him to embrace a little more variety now and then rather than always being Burton's toy boy.

That sums it up better than I managed, I would love to see him distance himself from Burton, at least for a couple of films.

[Projectionist]

Dunno about growing up. I just wish he'd fuck off. His last decent film that i enjoyed was whats eating gilbert grape.

[thedude]

Originally Posted by Projectionist

Dunno about growing up. I just wish he'd fuck off. His last decent film that i enjoyed was whats eating gilbert grape.

Guyv, why would you want him to fuck off? He may be a bit of a sell-out at the mo, but he has done some great work and is still one of the few original actors around with genuine talent.