Horror or comedy? (The Ninth Gate (DVD))

Member Name: moongod

Product:	The Ninth Gate (DVD)
Date:	29/05/01 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Occasionally beautiful cinematography, Funny, Successful depending on the intention

Disadvantages: Highlights are few and far between, Is it supposed to be funny?, Poor or extreme characterisation

It seems to me that Mr Polanski had his tongue firmly in his cheek when he made this film, casting Johnny-my-cheekbones-are-pure-sex-Depp as an unattractive' and unsure book detective. Good start.

The whole style of the film is of a Victorian detective novel - somewhat exaggerated with sexual overtones and prissy characters (Depp does a great dandy a la Sleepy Hollow). It seems to me that 'The Ninth Gate' can't decide what it wants to be - Gothic Horror or Dark Comedy?

The film starts to touch upon the edges of something interesting dipping into the world of secret societies (Eyes Wide Shut eat your heart out), but this soon gets caricaturical and stops the film from becoming really chilling.

Comical images are constantly conjured up - Lucifer sitting and painstakingly etching book plates, sect members in 'trendy' capes (black leather stylie). This is either misdirection or a dark sense of humour (you'll have to watch the film and see the comical end to see what I mean)

It's an odd cast of characters that don't work well together - each too defined and separate. Another problem is that you just never feel for Corso (Depp) and his troubled ways, so you don't actually care as he gradually gets led down the wrong path...maybe that's why Goldie's creditted above him (when he appears for about 3 minutes total). At least he gets to kick some ass.

Summary: